Al-Quds, MINA – Israeli occupation authorities have continued to close the Al-Aqsa Mosque for the 36th consecutive day.
The occupation has barred congregational prayers at Al-Aqsa under the pretext of an “emergency situation and security conditions,” in what is considered the longest closure since the occupation of Jerusalem in 1967.
According to Arab48 media, reported on Saturday, the occupation is exploiting this pretext to consolidate its control over Al-Aqsa, which it claims sits above what it refers to as the Temple of Solomon.
Meanwhile, calls among Palestinians in Jerusalem and its surrounding areas continue to grow, urging people to mobilize toward the nearest military checkpoints in an effort to reopen Al-Aqsa.
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This marks the ninth time the occupation has closed Al-Aqsa since 1967, with exceptions made only for some employees of the Islamic Waqf Department. Yesterday also marked the fifth consecutive Friday closure.
In the streets of Jerusalem, residents lined roads and alleyways, performing congregational prayers at the closest locations they could reach near Al-Aqsa, due to the restrictions on entry.
Occupation forces were heavily deployed across Jerusalem, particularly near the walls and gates of the Old City, preventing congregational prayers from being held in areas adjacent to the Al-Aqsa compound.
The forces repeatedly pursued worshippers from one place to another. Meanwhile, hundreds were forced to perform Friday prayers along Salahuddin Street, while others gathered on Nablus Street near the bus station.
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Special units of the occupation police also stormed worshippers praying along Nablus Street and arrested an imam after the prayer concluded.
Temple groups have taken advantage of the Hebrew Passover period, which began on April 2 and will continue until April 9, to incite incursions into the Al-Aqsa Mosque and call for ritual animal sacrifices within its premises.
Official and religious institutions have warned of the dangers of the continued closure of Al-Aqsa, describing it as a blatant violation of freedom of worship and a dangerous escalation that requires urgent international intervention to halt these measures.[]
Mi’raj News Agency (MINA)
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