Israeli police close al-Aqsa mosque during Friday prayers in Jerusalem

Israeli forces tightened security for Palestinians hoping to pray in Al-Aqsa on Friday (January 5), making it hard for many to get into the compound, the third-holiest site in Islam after Mecca and Medina. Reuters video showed Israeli forces standing behind barriers and pushing worshippers backwards, ahead of weekly Friday prayers. The hill on which the mosque sits is also the most sacred site for Jews who call it the Temple Mount. The area is often the scene of clashes. Palestinian worshipers say Israeli authorities have restricted their access to al-Aqsa compound since the start of Israel’s war on Hamas militants in Gaza on October 7. Read the best of our journalism: Subscribe to The Times and The Sunday Times YouTube channel: Find us on Facebook: Find us on Twitter: Find us on Instagram: #jerusalem #alaqsa #israel #gaza #middleeast