According to estimates by the Waqf administration, around 80,000 people took part today in the first Friday prayer of Ramadan 2026 at the Al-Aqsa compound on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem. The prayer proceeded as planned, passed in relative calm, and no unusual incidents were reported. Most of the worshippers were Palestinians from East Jerusalem and Arab citizens of Israel, while the entry of Palestinians from the West Bank was restricted.
How did security forces prepare in Jerusalem for the month of Ramadan?
This year, security forces in Jerusalem carried out reinforced preparations ahead of Ramadan. In recent weeks, around 150 individuals known to security services as activists involved in incitement and public disturbances were issued restraining orders barring them from the Temple Mount for periods of up to six months, mainly to prevent their entry during Ramadan.
Security forces also limited the number of Palestinian entrants to Jerusalem from the West Bank to 10,000 per day. Entry was restricted to children under 12, men over 50, and women over 45. According to Palestinian reports, heavy congestion was recorded at the Qalandiya and Bethlehem crossings, and many applicants seeking to reach the Temple Mount were turned back, either due to failure to meet the criteria or because the daily quota had been reached.
How was Israel Police deployed across Jerusalem on the day of the prayer?
A high level of alert was recorded in Jerusalem, with thousands of police officers deployed along traffic routes and access roads leading to the Temple Mount. In a statement, the Jerusalem District Police said: “From the early morning hours, thousands of Jerusalem District police officers and Border Police fighters, reinforced by additional units, were deployed throughout the city and its surroundings, under the command of District Commander Superintendent Avshalom Peled, who toured the Qalandiya crossing and reviewed preparations for the arrival of thousands of worshippers.
“Police forces operated on security missions, public order maintenance, traffic direction, and crowd management, in order to enable the arrival of tens of thousands of worshippers to the Temple Mount and holy sites, while ensuring freedom of worship in safety and maintaining required security and safety measures.
“In the past hour, the noon prayer on the Temple Mount on the first Friday of Ramadan concluded with the participation of tens of thousands of worshippers. The prayer was held as planned.
“Earlier today, a special situation assessment was held at the Western Wall police station, led by Police Commissioner Daniel Levy and Jerusalem District Commander Avshalom Peled, together with the senior command staff of Israel Police.
“Later, another assessment was held under the leadership of National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, the Police Commissioner, the District Commander, and senior command staff.”
