RESTRICTION SUMMARY: Ramallah - 08 April 2022. Palestinian Muslim worshippers are pictured at an Israeli controlled Qalandia checkpoint as they make their way to attend the first Friday prayers of Ramadan in Jerusalem's Al-Aqsa mosque, near the West Bank city of Ramallah.

0.1 SOUNDBITE (in Arabic) Saed Al-Masry is a 48-year-old citizen.
0.1 SOUNDBITE (in Arabic) Ahmed Kedah, a 65-year-old citizen.

STORYLINE:

Israel announced on Tuesday it will let Palestinian women, men 50 and up and children enter Jerusalem's Al-Aqsa Mosque for Friday prayers during the Muslim month of Ramadan, which began this week.

Palestinian men over 50 and boys under 12 will be allowed to enter Israel freely for Friday prayers as well, while those between the ages of 40-49 will be able to head to Al-Aqsa if they have a permit. Men under 40 will not be allowed in, according to usual policy, except if they have a permit that allows them in Israel on Fridays.

Hundreds of thousands of Palestinians from the West Bank regularly patronize Al-Aqsa during Ramadan. The mosque is the third-holiest site in Islam and prayer there is a central facet of the holy month for many Palestinian Muslims.

Footage by APAwire