Thousands of West Bank Palestinians have crossed Israeli checkpoints into Jerusalem this morning for Friday Ramadan prayers at the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound on the Temple Mount.
Israel said that it would cap the number of Palestinian worshipers from the West Bank attending the weekly prayers at 10,000.
Like last year, only males aged 55 and up, women 50 and up, and children 12 and below when accompanied by a first-degree relative will be permitted to attend prayers at Al‑Aqsa. The restrictions apply only to the 10,000 Palestinians traveling from the West Bank, and not to Muslim Arab Israelis.
COGAT chief Maj. Gen. Yoram Halevy, Civil Administration head Brig. Gen. Hisham Ibrahim, Jerusalem District police chief Deputy Commissioner Avshalom Peled, and Border Police chief Deputy Commissioner Brik Yitzhak are holding an assessment at the Qalandiya checkpoint, where some 2,000 Palestinians have crossed this morning, according to Israeli authorities.
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From the Liveblog of
Friday, February 20, 2026
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