Israeli Forces Maintain Closure of Al-Aqsa Mosque for 30th Consecutive Day

Jerusalem: Israeli occupation forces continue to close the Al-Aqsa Mosque and prevent worshippers from accessing it, for the thirtieth consecutive day, under the pretext of security conditions related to the war on Iran.According to Union of OIC News Agencies, this coincides with the continued isolation of the Old City of Jerusalem from its surroundings, through military checkpoints and the deployment of occupation forces in its neighborhoods, and preventing Jerusalemites from entering it, with the exception of its residents.This closure, which has been ongoing since the end of February, comes amid unprecedented 'security' measures, coinciding with the declaration of a 'state of emergency'.The restrictions were not limited to Muslims, but also extended to Christian holy sites, as the Church of the Holy Sepulchre remained closed to worshippers and visitors, reflecting a comprehensive policy to isolate the holy city from its surroundings.The occupation forces pursue worshippers who try to gather in the streets and areas adjacent to the walls of the Old City, and use force to disperse them and force them to evacuate public squares, in an attempt to prevent any manifestations of group prayer outside the walls of Al-Aqsa Mosque.Eyewitnesses confirmed that the guards of Al-Aqsa Mosque and employees of the Islamic Waqf Department were the only ones allowed to be present inside the mosque courtyards, while prayers were being held inside the covered prayer halls in very limited numbers, while the outer courtyards remained completely empty of worshippers.