An estimated 40,000 Muslim worshippers performed the Friday prayers at the Al-Aqsa Mosque, amidst strict military measures imposed by “Israeli” authorities on access to the mosque – per the the Islamic Waqf Department in Jerusalem’s statement cited by the Palestine News Agency (Wafa).

A number of people who were prevented from accessing the Al-Aqsa Mosque performed Friday prayers on Martyrs' Street, near the Asbat Gate – the statement added.

Palestinian media reported that the Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) assaulted a young man and several worshippers at Lions' Gate in Jerusalem.

Since the start of the “Israeli” aggression against the Gaza Strip and the West Bank on Oct. 7, 2023; the IOF intensified their measures at the gates of the Al-Aqsa Mosque and the entrances to the Old City – often preventing citizens from occupied Jerusalem or Palestinians from the 1948 territories from entering the mosque to perform prayers – the Islamic Waqf Department said in its statement.