AL QUDS-Tens of thousands of Palestinian worshipers recited Friday prayers in the courtyards of al-Aqsa mosque amid strict Israeli measures. The Islamic Religious Property Department in occupied Jerusalem said 60,000 Muslim worshipers prayed Friday prayers in al-Aqsa.

From the early hours, Israeli police forces were deployed on the streets of Jerusalem and prevented Palestinians from the West Bank from accessing the mosque to pray. However, thousands of faithful managed to reach the sacred place.

Early in the morning, thousands of people recited the dawn prayer at the holy site, despite Israeli restrictions. Since the early hours of the morning, thousands of Palestinians have gathered at the gates of the al-Aqsa mosque to recite the dawn prayer, thus highlighting the spiritual ties of Palestinians to the holy site.

Similar gatherings were also reported in several West Bank cities, with the participation of families of Palestinian martyrs and prisoners.