On Sunday, Israeli police denied entry to many Palestinians for the first night of Ramadan prayers. Israeli forces beat back Muslim worshippers with batons to obstruct them from entering the Al-Aqsa Mosque for prayers to mark the start of Ramadan in occupied East Jerusalem.
According to the UNRWA, “hunger is everywhere in Gaza” as Ramadan begins and restates demands for an “immediate ceasefire” during the holy month.
Israeli forces prevented hundreds of Palestinians from entering al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied East Jerusalem on the eve of Ramadan, local media reports.
Islam’s third holiest site, al-Aqsa Mosque remains closed by “Israel” to thousands of Palestinian worshippers on the first night of Ramadan. Soldiers set up multiple checkpoints. Those allowed passage are mostly those above 45 years.
Head of Hamas’s political bureau, Ismail Haniyeh blames Israel for failing to reach a ceasefire deal before Ramadan, saying: “We don’t want an agreement that doesn’t end the war on Gaza.”
At the moment, at least 31,045 Palestinians have been shelled to death with over 72,000 injured in Israeli attacks on Gaza since October 7. The revised death toll in Israel from Hamas’ October 7 attacks stands at 1,139, and dozens continue to be held captive.
Ramadan is the ninth month in the Islamic lunar calendar and Muslims around the world, consider it as a month of spiritual reflection, charity, prayers and abstinence from food and drink during daylight hours.
“We consider Ramadan to be the month of Al Quds (Jerusalem), it’s the month of Al-Aqsa mosque, and we have been preparing to welcome as many worshippers as we can,” said Omar Al-Kiswani, the director of Al-Aqsa.
Al-Aqsa Mosque may attract over 5000 worshippers during Friday prayers or Ramadan prayer times.