Unprecedented Crackdown Ahead of Holy Ramadan: 3,000 Soldiers Deployed in East Jerusalem

Unprecedented Crackdown Ahead of Holy Ramadan: 3,000 Soldiers Deployed in East Jerusalem
Jerusalem, February 26: Israeli authorities are preparing to implement an "unprecedented repressive policy" to further isolate East Jerusalem and surrounding Palestinian areas ahead of the holy Muslim month of Ramadan, which is set to begin this Saturday, according to the Jerusalem Governorate.

The Palestinian Authority, the governing body of Palestine, stated in a press release that the Israeli military is planning a "series of discriminatory and provocative measures," including restricting the number of Muslim worshippers at the Al-Aqsa Mosque complex.

The statement further mentioned that recently released Palestinian prisoners will be banned from entering the Al-Aqsa Mosque, and age-based restrictions will be imposed on worshippers coming from the West Bank, allowing only men aged 55 and above and women aged 50 and above to enter.

The Israeli forces are deploying 3,000 armed personnel around the checkpoints in East Jerusalem every day and strengthening control over 82 military checkpoints, which include earth barriers, iron gates, increased security cameras, and enhanced inspection procedures.

"The Governorate has called for immediate action from Arab and Islamic countries, as well as the international community, to stop these violations."