For the second Friday: The occupation closes the gates of Al-Aqsa Mosque and prevents worshippers from reaching it.

Today, the Israeli occupation forces closed all gates of the blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque, preventing worshippers from entering for Friday prayers, for the second week in a row.

The Jerusalem Governorate reported that the occupation forces closed all the gates of Al-Aqsa Mosque and took up positions in front of them. They also closed the gates at Bab al-Hatta and Bab al-Silsila, after allowing a small number of worshippers to pass through them, under the pretext that the number permitted to enter the mosque had been completed.

The governorate noted that occupation forces stopped worshippers at Bab al-Sahira and obstructed their entry into the Old City and Al-Aqsa Mosque prior to Friday prayers.

Since June 13, the occupation authorities have imposed strict restrictions on the blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque, completely closing the mosque for six consecutive days before beginning last Wednesday evening to implement a "per-number" policy.

The Jerusalem Governorate stated in a statement that the occupation forces allowed only 450 worshippers to enter to perform the noon prayer yesterday, Thursday, through Bab al-Hatta. They then immediately closed the gate to prevent entry and exit, while Waqf employees were allowed to enter through Bab al-Silsila and Bab al-Hatta under tight supervision. Meanwhile, the occupation forces opened Bab al-Maghariba to allow settlers to storm Al-Aqsa Mosque.

The Jerusalem Governorate considered these measures a dangerous escalation aimed at imposing a new fait accompli that would pave the way for changing the historical and legal status quo at Al-Aqsa Mosque, by exploiting the regional war to implement its plans.

She also explained that the policy of closure and crowd control had brought life in the Old City to a near-total standstill, with anyone without a city ID being barred from entering, while synagogues and markets remained open as usual.

The Jerusalem Governorate affirmed its condemnation of "this unprecedented encroachment on the religious and human rights of Palestinians," and that the "per-numbered worshippers" policy represents a dangerous precedent in targeting freedom of worship. It called on the international community and relevant parties to assume their legal and humanitarian responsibilities and take urgent action to halt these violations, oblige the occupation authorities to respect the historical and legal status quo at Al-Aqsa Mosque, and lift all restrictions imposed on the Old City and its residents.