- Title: Israel tightens security in Jerusalem ahead of first Ramadan Friday prayers
- Date: 20th February 2026
- Summary: JERUSALEM (FEBRUARY 20, 2026) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF ISRAELI POLICE AND SECURITY FORCES AROUND THE OLD CITY OF JERUSALEM AND DAMASCUS GATE, METAL BARRICADES PLACED WORSHIPPERS WALKING THROUGH (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) PALESTINIAN WORSHIPPER FROM DURA, NEAR HEBRON, MOHMAMMED HROUB, SAYING: "There isn't a lot of pressure because they (Israel) did not provide a lot of people with
- Embargoed:
- Keywords: Israel Jerusalem Palestinians Ramadan prayers preparations security
- Location: JERUSALEM
- City: JERUSALEM
- Country: Jerusalem
- Topics: Religion/Belief,Society/Social Issues
- Reuters ID: LVA001706720022026RP1
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Israeli forces tightened security around the city of Jerusalem on Friday (February 20) ahead of the first Friday prayers of Ramadan at Al-Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem.
Palestinian worshippers from the city and from the West Bank cities arrived in the city through checkpoints hoping to cross to attend first Friday prayers of Ramadan at Al-Aqsa in Jerusalem, while some were returned, others were let in.
Police said preparations for Ramadan 2026 had been completed, with large numbers of officers and border police to be deployed in the Old City, around holy sites and along routes used by worshippers. Advanced technological measures would also be used to prevent unrest, incitement and what police described as terrorism.
Israeli authorities said they would only allow up to 10,000 Palestinian worshippers from the West Bank to attend prayers at al-Aqsa Mosque, as security forces stepped up deployments across the city.
Al-Aqsa lies at the heart of Jerusalem's old city and is Islam's third holiest site and known to Jews as Temple Mount.
(Production: Sinan abu Mayzer, Nuha Sharaf) - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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