Israel has announced various restrictions on Palestinians during the holy month of Ramadan with regard to entering Al Aqsa Mosque.
“Women of all ages, male children up to 12 years old, and men over 55 years old will be allowed to enter the Al Aqsa Mosque during Ramadan without a permit,” the coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories, Major General Ghassan Alyan, said in a statement on Monday.
Israel will “impose a permit on men from 45 to 55 years old,” he added.
He stressed that “working hours will be increased at the various occupied West Bank crossings during the month of Ramadan.”
Palestinians clean up and decorate al-Aqsa and its courtyards to welcome the holy month of Ramadan. 🕌 🌙 pic.twitter.com/St9DzpNCzQ
— Muslim (@Muslim) March 19, 2023
‘Limited quota’ allowed from Gaza
With regard to the Gaza, according to the statement, Israel imposed a “limited quota” for women aged 50 and over, and men aged 55 or over, from Sunday to Thursday, to enter the Al Aqsa Mosque.
Tension has been rising across the occupied West Bank in recent months amid repeated Israeli military raids into Palestinian towns.
Nearly 90 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli fire since the start of this year, according to Palestinian figures.
Fourteen Israelis have also been killed in separate attacks during the same period.
Smotrich also claimed during the speech that Palestinians were “an invention” from the last century. Photo: Ronen Zvulun/Reuters
Smotrich, who has a history of incendiary remarks, faced international rebuke earlier this month after calling for a Palestinian town in the occupied West Bank to be “wiped out”.
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Source: TRT World and Agencies. 23 March 2023