Tens of thousands of Muslim worshipers visited the Al-Aqsa Mosque on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem this morning for the second Friday prayers of Ramadan.
The Islamic Waqf, which manages the site, estimates that some 80,000 people attended the midday prayer. Israel Police does not provide a number, only saying “tens of thousands” of people were in attendance.
Police say that prayers ended peacefully and without any unusual incidents, despite fears of unrest during the Muslim holy month due to tensions over Gaza.
In a statement ahead of last week’s Friday prayers, the Prime Minister’s Office said that it would be granting entry permits into Jerusalem to a “reduced number of Muslim worshipers” from the West Bank.
Though the Prime Minister’s Office did not disclose how many West Bank Palestinians were granted permits, the proposal issued by Israeli security brass reportedly recommended a limit of 10,000.
As was the case last Ramadan, Israel allowed only Palestinian males aged 55 and older, women at least 50 years old and children aged 12 and below to enter the city for Friday prayers.
Charlie Summers contributed to this report.
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