Thousands of West Bank Palestinians cross into Jerusalem for Ramadan prayers

Emanuel (Mannie) Fabian is The Times of Israel's military correspondent

Palestinians make their way through an Israeli checkpoint to the Al-Aqsa compound, also known as Temple Mount, in Jerusalem's Old City, in Bethlehem, February 27, 2026. (REUTERS/Mussa Qawasma)
Palestinians make their way through an Israeli checkpoint to the Al-Aqsa compound, also known as Temple Mount, in Jerusalem's Old City, in Bethlehem, February 27, 2026. (REUTERS/Mussa Qawasma)

Thousands of West Bank Palestinians are crossing 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.

Similar to last year, only males aged 55 and up, women over 50, and children under 12 when accompanied by a first-degree relative will be permitted to attend prayers at Al‑Aqsa. The restrictions only apply to West Bank Palestinians.

“On the second Friday of the month of Ramadan, the Israel Defense Forces continues to make every effort to ensure the safe passage of worshipers through the crossings… enabling them to reach Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem and perform prayers safely and peacefully, with full security deployment and ongoing coordination in accordance with field situation assessments,” says Lt. Col. Ella Waweya, the IDF’s Arabic-language spokeswoman.

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