Israel Deploys Heavy Forces and Blocks Thousands From Reaching Al-Aqsa in Occupied East Jerusalem on Ramadan’s First Friday

On the first Friday of Ramadan Israeli forces deployed heavily around occupied East Jerusalem, blocking thousands of Palestinians from reaching the Al-Aqsa Mosque and restricting access at key checkpoints.

“Share Save Al Jazeera Mubasher broadcast field testimonies from Palestinian citizens at Checkpoint 300 in the city of Bethlehem, reflecting the human dimension of Palestinians’ suffering as they attempt to reach Jerusalem to perform prayers”

Al-Jazeera Net

Local officials said many worshippers were turned back at Qalandia checkpoint north of Jerusalem and Checkpoint 300 near Bethlehem, with elderly worshippers denied entry for lacking permits and ID checks carried out at mosque gates.

Al-Jazeera Net

Despite these restrictions tens of thousands still attended prayers.

The Jerusalem Governorate reported over 300 orders barring Jerusalem Palestinian residents from entering during Ramadan.

Footage showed Israeli security forces physically preventing some people from reaching the compound.

Footage and eyewitness reporting highlighted intense scenes at Checkpoint 300 and other access points as prayer time approached.

Al-Jazeera's field teams showed large crowds being turned back, gates being closed over loudspeakers and crowds pushed back, while Palestinian Red Crescent teams stood by to assist people who were unable to cross.

madhyamamonline

Correspondents also reported heavy police deployments, including more than 3,000 personnel around Qalandiya checkpoint.

These descriptions paint a picture of large-scale access control and crowd management at the main entry points to Jerusalem's holy sites.

The visit by Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir to the Al-Aqsa area also escalated tensions, according to the sources.

“Share Save Al Jazeera Mubasher broadcast field testimonies from Palestinian citizens at Checkpoint 300 in the city of Bethlehem, reflecting the human dimension of Palestinians’ suffering as they attempt to reach Jerusalem to perform prayers”

Al-Jazeera Net

Footage showed Ben-Gvir entering via the Moroccan Gate accompanied by Israeli police leaders, and Palestinian officials called the visit provocative.

The Moroccan Gate is noted as being under Israeli control since 1967 and is often used by security forces.

Sources reported intensified restrictions around the compound coinciding with the minister's presence.

Both sources describe broader measures limiting movement, including photography bans, detentions, and people taken to nearby interrogation areas, and claim the way access was policed violated longstanding arrangements.

A legal expert cited by Al-Jazeera, Mohammad Dahleh, said the measures violate international law and the 'status quo' on Al-Aqsa, linked current tightening to policies since Oslo and the separation wall, and urged recourse to international courts and UN forums.

madhyamamonline

That legal framing is present in Al-Jazeera's reporting, while madhyamamonline emphasizes the governorate's account of permit denials and orders barring residents.

Note on sources and limitations: the account above is drawn only from the provided article snippets from madhyamamonline (Asian) and Al-Jazeera Net (West Asian).

“Share Save Al Jazeera Mubasher broadcast field testimonies from Palestinian citizens at Checkpoint 300 in the city of Bethlehem, reflecting the human dimension of Palestinians’ suffering as they attempt to reach Jerusalem to perform prayers”

Al-Jazeera Net

Those two sources broadly agree on core facts — heavy Israeli deployments, turnbacks at Qalandia and Checkpoint 300, permit denials, ID checks, and a Ben-Gvir visit that Palestinian officials called provocative.

Al-Jazeera Net

They differ in emphasis: madhyamamonline foregrounds governorate statements and counts (e.g., 'over 300 orders'), while Al-Jazeera foregrounds field footage, eyewitness detail and legal analysis (Mohammad Dahleh).

No other distinct source types were provided, so broader cross-type comparison beyond these two items is not possible with the material supplied.