Jerusalem, Feb 19 (V7N) — Israel has announced that up to 10,000 Palestinian worshippers will be permitted to enter the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in East Jerusalem for weekly Friday prayers during the holy month of Ramadan.

The decision, reported by Arab News, came after Ramadan began this week, but authorities have imposed age-based and permit restrictions on entry.

Entry Conditions

According to a statement from COGAT — the Israeli defense ministry agency overseeing civil affairs in the occupied Palestinian territories — entry will be allowed under the following conditions:

  • Men aged 55 and above

  • Women aged 50 and above

  • Children up to 12 years old, accompanied by first-degree relatives

  • Worshippers must obtain separate permits for each day

Context

During Ramadan, the Al-Aqsa compound typically hosts hundreds of thousands to millions of worshippers, as it is considered the third holiest site in Islam.

The mosque is located in East Jerusalem, a territory captured by Israel in 1967 and later annexed — a move that remains unrecognized by most of the international community.

The announcement comes amid heightened sensitivities around access to the site during Ramadan, when restrictions and security measures often draw regional and international attention.

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