AP explains: Heavy Israeli restrictions in place in Jerusalem for first Friday prayers of Ramadan скачать в хорошем качестве

AP explains: Heavy Israeli restrictions in place in Jerusalem for first Friday prayers of Ramadan

(20 Feb 2026) RESTRICTION SUMMARY: ASSOCIATED PRESS Ramallah, West Bank - 20 February 2026 1. SOUNDBITE (English) Sam Metz, The Associated Press: "For some Muslims, Friday prayers begin at the Qalandiya checkpoint." ASSOCIATED PRESS Qalandiya, West Bank - 20 February 2026 2. Wide of Palestinians entering Qalandiya checkpoint to cross from the occupied West Bank to Jerusalem to attend prayers at al-Aqsa mosque compound 3. Mid of Israeli soldiers at checkpoint 4. People at checkpoint 5. Pan right from soldiers walking to people at checkpoint ASSOCIATED PRESS Ramallah, West Bank - 20 February 2026 6. SOUNDBITE (English) Sam Metz, The Associated Press: "Israel's allowing only 10,000 worshippers from the occupied West Bank to enter Jerusalem for Friday prayers at the Al-Aqsa Mosque. That cap is the same as last year, but it's far lower than what Palestinians have been allowed in the past. The limits matter because Israel, Jordan and the Palestinians have long agreed to maintain a status quo over access and worship at the site." ASSOCIATED PRESS Qalandiya, West Bank - 20 February 2026 7. People getting off a bus in hopes of crossing the Qalandiya checkpoint 8. Wide of people at the checkpoint ASSOCIATED PRESS Ramallah, West Bank - 20 February 2026 9. SOUNDBITE (English) Sam Metz, The Associated Press: "The compound is one of the holiest and most contested sites in the world, the most sacred place in Judaism, and the third holiest in Islam. The rules and restrictions there have led to clashes in the past so people are closely watching this year. Currently, only men over 55, women over 50 and children under 12 are allowed to enter from the West Bank." ASSOCIATED PRESS Qalandiya, West Bank - 20 February 2026 10. Various of men at the checkpoint 11. Various of women at the checkpoint ASSOCIATED PRESS Ramallah, West Bank - 20 February 2026 12. SOUNDBITE (English) Sam Metz, The Associated Press: "Qalandiya's closed to vehicles today, but it's crowded with pedestrian traffic. Some were denied access to cross and most lamented that the restrictions seemed to have outlasted the war." ASSOCIATED PRESS Qalandiya, West Bank - 20 February 2026 13. Mid of Israeli soldiers talking to a cameraman 14. Wide of the checkpoint STORYLINE: Tens of thousands of Muslims gathered under heavy Israeli restrictions at Jerusalem's Al-Aqsa Mosque compound for the first Friday prayers of the holy month of Ramadan. Among them were Palestinians who were allowed to enter from the occupied West Bank. The Ramadan prayers at Al-Aqsa took place for the first time since a shaky ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas went into effect in October. It was the first opportunity many had to leave the West Bank and pray at the site in Jerusalem’s Old City since Ramadan last year. Israel restricted the number of Palestinians allowed to enter from the West Bank to 10,000 on Friday, and only allowed men over 55 and women over 50 as well as children up to 12. It has imposed similar restrictions in the past, citing security concerns. =========================================================== Clients are reminded to adhere to all listed restrictions and to check the terms of their licence agreements. For further assistance, please contact the AP Archive on: Tel +44(0)2074827482 Email: info@aparchive.com. Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork Twitter:   / ap_archive   Facebook:   / aparchives   ​​ Instagram:   / apnews   You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/you...