Israeli authorities continue to block Muslim access to Al-Aqsa Mosque for a 19th consecutive day, with heightened restrictions and dispersal of worshippers at prayer gates.

JERUSALEM: Israeli occupation authorities have continued the closure of the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound to Muslim worshippers for a 19th consecutive day, citing security pretexts.

Authorities have escalated repressive measures against worshippers and those maintaining a presence at the site, with occupation police intensifying restrictions to prevent access even to the courtyard of the nearby Rashidiya School.

Worshippers have continued to pray at the gates of the compound for a ninth night in protest against the ongoing closure.

On Tuesday evening, occupation forces prevented residents from performing tarawih prayers in several neighbourhoods of occupied Jerusalem.

Troops were deployed around Damascus Gate and Herod’s Gate, banning tarawih prayers and forcing worshippers to leave the area in an attempt to disperse them and prevent any gatherings.

 The Sun Malaysia