Tens of thousands perform Friday prayers in al-Aqsa

Tens of thousands of Palestinians performed Friday prayer at al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied Jerusalem amid very tight Israeli police restrictions.

Israeli police forces were earlier deployed in large numbers throughout the occupied city and near al-Aqsa’s gates.

Hundreds of worshipers were stopped and searched at the entrances to the Mosque despite the very bad weather.

During the Friday sermon, al-Aqsa preacher Sheikh Mohamed Salim called for helping brothers and sisters in Syria and Iraq in this difficult rainy season.

He also called for supporting the Palestinian people in occupied Jerusalem and all the occupied lands.

Meanwhile, more than 200 Palestinians from the besieged Gaza Strip traveled to occupied Jerusalem on Friday to attend prayers at al-Aqsa Mosque via Beit Hanoun crossing (Erez).

According to Palestinian liaison officials, 250 worshipers, all above the age of 50, traveled to the occupied Jerusalem to attend prayers.

The worshipers would immediately be returning to the Gaza Strip following the conclusion of Friday prayers, the sources added.