Tens of thousands of Muslim worshippers gathered at Jerusalem’s Al-Aqsa Mosque compound on February 20, 2026, for the first Friday prayers of Ramadan since the October ceasefire between Israel and Hamas took effect. The event marked a significant moment for many Palestinians who had not been able to access the holy site during last year’s holy month.
The Noble Sanctuary, known to Jews as the Temple Mount, drew crowds under tight security. Jerusalem’s Islamic Waqf, the Jordanian authority administering the site, estimated attendance at 80,000. In typical years, Friday prayers during Ramadan can attract up to 200,000 people.
Israeli police deployed more than 3,000 officers across Jerusalem. Authorities described the presence as a precautionary measure to ensure safety and provide emergency support rather than to project force.
Israel imposed strict entry restrictions for Palestinians traveling from the West Bank. Only 10,000 permits were granted, limited to men over 55, women over 50, and children up to age 12. These age-based rules mirrored past security measures during high-tension periods.
Palestinians who made the journey expressed disappointment over the limited access. Ezaldeen Mustafah, a West Bank resident who attended, called for greater numbers to be allowed. “We need more people than this,” he said.
The prayers represented the first large-scale opportunity for West Bank Palestinians to pray at Al-Aqsa since the previous Ramadan. The site remains a frequent flashpoint in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict due to its profound religious significance for both Muslims and Jews.
Gaza Observes Ramadan Amid Destruction
In Gaza, the holy month unfolded under far more somber conditions. Many residents described a muted festive spirit overshadowed by grief and widespread loss after more than two years of conflict.
Ramiz Firwana, a Gaza resident, noted the absence of functioning mosques. “Previously, there were mosques, but today all the mosques have been bombed,” he said during a Friday sermon and prayers held in a schoolyard.
Families gathered for Iftar, the daily fast-breaking meal, amid rubble and destroyed buildings on Thursday evening. Mohammad Kollab from Khan Younis expressed resilience despite the hardship. “Despite the displacement, the pain, and the destruction, we want to rejoice and live,” he said. “We are a people who want to live, we are not a people destined only for destruction and killing.”
Gaza’s Health Ministry reports more than 72,000 Palestinians killed in Israel’s military offensive, which began after Hamas-led militants killed about 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and took 251 hostages on October 7, 2023. The offensive displaced most of Gaza’s population and caused extensive destruction.
The US-brokered ceasefire that took effect on October 10, 2025, halted the heaviest fighting. However, near-daily Israeli fire has continued, preventing a full return to normal life.
Broader Context of Al-Aqsa Ramadan Prayers
The Al-Aqsa compound holds deep symbolic importance. As the third-holiest site in Islam, it attracts worshippers from across the region during Ramadan. For Jews, the Temple Mount is the holiest place in Judaism, the location of the ancient biblical temples.
Restrictions on access during sensitive periods have historically sparked tensions. This year’s limited entry for West Bank Palestinians reflected ongoing security concerns amid the fragile ceasefire.
Worshippers who attended expressed gratitude for the chance to pray at the site after a long absence. The gathering underscored the enduring religious and cultural significance of Al-Aqsa even in times of conflict.
As Ramadan continues, attention remains on whether the ceasefire holds and whether restrictions ease in the coming weeks. For many Palestinians, the holy month brings both spiritual solace and reminders of unresolved hardships in Gaza and the West Bank.
