Approximately 45,000 Muslim worshippers performed Friday prayers at Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied East Jerusalem, marking the first congregation at the holy site following a 12-day closure imposed by Israeli authorities.

The reopening of the compound came amid heightened security, with Israeli police deploying additional forces and maintaining tight restrictions around the mosque’s entrances. According to the Islamic Waqf Department, access remained difficult, with police conducting identity checks at gates such as Al-Amud (Damascus Gate) and Al-Asbat (Lions’ Gate).

Several individuals were reportedly arrested, including one from the courtyard of the Dome of the Rock. Arafat Najib, a mosque guard, was detained and issued a one-week ban from entering the site, which may be extended.

Palestinian worshippers also reported that Israeli authorities targeted their vehicles with fines, particularly those parked in the Wadi al-Joz neighbourhood and near Bab al-Asbat Gate.

Despite these obstacles, large crowds turned out for prayers, responding to grassroots calls from local youth groups and activists. The prayer gathering was described as a show of resilience and an assertion of Palestinian and Islamic ties to Al-Aqsa.

The 12-day closure, which coincided with a period of heightened regional tensions, including a brief conflict involving Iran, drew criticism from religious and political leaders. The closure was viewed by many as an unprecedented step that restricted religious freedoms and altered the status quo at the site.

While the mosque has reopened, access remains tightly controlled. Thousands of Palestinians from the occupied West Bank are still barred from entering Jerusalem without Israeli-issued permits.

Activists framed Friday’s turnout as a symbolic act of unity and steadfastness in the face of continued restrictions and attempts to challenge the historical and religious status of the mosque.

Al-Aqsa Mosque, Islam’s third holiest site, remains a flashpoint in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, with tensions often flaring over issues of access, security, and sovereignty. (ILKHA)