QALANDIA, West Bank: Muslim worshippers held the second Friday prayers during the holy month of Ramadan at Al-Aqsa compound under heavy Israeli security.
Palestinians from the West Bank earlier arrived at Israeli checkpoints to cross into Jerusalem.
Tens of thousands of Muslims gathered last week under heavy security at the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in Jerusalem for the first Ramadan Friday prayers, among them Palestinians who crossed into Israel from the West Bank.
But Israel restricted the number of Palestinians allowed to enter Israel 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 due to security concerns.
The 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.











