Tens of Thousands Pray at Al-Aqsa Under Tight Israeli Restrictions
Tens of thousands attended Ramadan Friday prayers at Al-Aqsa under heavy Israeli security; Israel limited West Bank entries to 10,000 and the Islamic Waqf said 80,000 attended.
Overview
Tens of thousands of Palestinians gathered at Jerusalem's Al-Aqsa compound for the first Friday prayers of Ramadan under heavy Israeli restrictions, the reports said.
The prayers were the first at Al-Aqsa since a U.S.-brokered ceasefire went into effect on Oct. 10, the articles said.
Israel restricted West Bank entries to 10,000 and allowed only men over 55, women over 50, and children up to 12, the reports said.
Jerusalem's Islamic Waqf said 80,000 people attended Friday prayers, compared with up to 200,000 in normal years, the reports said.
Gaza's Health Ministry said more than 72,000 Palestinians have been killed in Israel's military offensive, the articles said.
Analysis
Center-leaning sources subtly frame coverage toward Palestinian experiences by emphasizing restrictions, casualty tallies, and multiple Palestinian voices while giving brief Israeli security statements. Choices — terms like "occupied West Bank" and "shaky ceasefire," selection of Palestinian quotes, and ordering that foregrounds hardship — create an empathetic narrative despite presenting both sides.
Sources (3)
FAQ
Israel limited entries from the West Bank to 10,000 people and allowed only men over 55, women over 50, and children up to 12.
The Islamic Waqf reported 80,000 attendees, compared to up to 200,000 in normal years.
These were the first Friday prayers at Al-Aqsa since a U.S.-brokered ceasefire on October 10, marking a return to worship at the site after the conflict.
Israel has imposed age-based restrictions, such as banning men under 50 or 45, especially during Friday prayers or heightened security, for stated security reasons.
History
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