Israeli forces assault Palestinians in Jerusalem and block access to Al-Aqsa

Israeli forces assaulted Palestinian worshippers in occupied East Jerusalem and blocked them from accessing Al-Aqsa Mosque, according to local media. 

Videos shared by Palestinian outlets showed Israeli forces guarding the entrances to the Old City and preventing people from going through.

Translation: Occupation forces attack Palestinians at the Old City checkpoints to prevent them from reaching Al-Aqsa Mosque.

Palestinian religious affairs officials in Jerusalem said only around 5,000 people attended Friday prayer at Al-Aqsa Mosque today, a significantly lower number than in normal circumstances. 

Israeli forces have heavily cracked down on Palestinians in Jerusalem since 7 October, erecting checkpoints, deploying heavily armed soldiers and arbitrarily stopping and beating young men.

Translation: Occupation forces attack residents at King Faisal Gate and prevent them from reaching Al-Aqsa.