GAZANS PASS THROUGH EREZ CROSSING TO PRAY IN AL-AQSA

Gaza, 12 Shaban 1436/30 May 2015 (MINA) – Dozens of Palestinians left the Gaza Strip early Friday to pray in the Al-Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem.

Sources at the Palestinian liaison told Ma’an that 190 Palestinians above 60 years of age headed to the mosque compound via the Erez crossing, Ma’an News Agency reports as quoted by Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA).

Weekly access to the Al-Aqsa mosque by Gazans has become routine since October 2014 when some 500 Palestinians in Gaza prayed at the mosque for the first time since 2007, having been prevented by Israel from traveling to Jerusalem since that time.

Friday’s trip comes as tensions continue around the compound, as dozens of right-wing Jewish Israelis entered the compound under the protection of Israeli forces earlier this week to celebrate the Jewish holiday of Shavuot.

Despite an agreement between Israel and the Islamic endowment since 1967 that prohibits non-Muslim prayer in the compound, Jewish Israeli groups frequent the site under the armed protection of Israeli forces.

Israeli forces detained five Palestinians walking near entrance gates to the Al-Aqsa mosque compound Monday.

Friday’s worshipers will return to the Gaza Strip after performing Friday prayers before the Erez crossing between Israel and Gaza closes for the weekend. (T/P010/R04)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)