(7 Mar 2025)
RESTRICTION SUMMARY:
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Qalandiya Checkpoint, West Bank – 7 March 2025
1. Wide of worshippers gathered at Qalandiya checkpoint, heading towards Jerusalem for first Friday prayers of Ramadan
2. Close of worshippers at Qalandiya checkpoint
3. Various of Israeli security guards watching worshipers
4. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Mohammed Owaisat, resident of Sawahera al-Sharqiya:
"We were given permits to pray, so we came here thinking that we had permits from the coordinator in order to cross to Al-Aqsa (mosque) and pray on Friday. However, when we arrived, the Checkpoint was closed, and all the young people, elderly people, and women were waiting here. They refused to let anyone cross at the checkpoint."
5. Khamis al-Salihi, resident of Nablus, waiting at checkpoint
6. SOUNDBTE (Arabic) Khamis al-Salihi, 57, resident of Nablus:
"I entered and they sent me back. The Israeli soldier stopped me and I told him that I am 57 years and three months old. He took me inside to let me through, but then they closed the Checkpoint. They told me to turn around and go back."
7. Israeli security guard walking toward worshippers
8. Various of worshippers waiting at checkpoint
9. Women denied entry making their way back
10. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Najeha Shahada, resident of Ramallah:
"We entered here and went through, inside. I took the number and got my picture taken. Then I was told to turn around. The soldier said, ‘Go back.’ I asked why, and he said, ‘You need a permit.’ I didn’t know that I needed a permit."
11. Various of Israeli security guards at checkpoint
12. Wide of worshippers waiting
STORYLINE:
Amid rising tensions over the ongoing Gaza ceasefire talks between Israel and Hamas, some Palestinians worshippers from the West Bank gathered at Qalandiya checkpoint to cross into Jerusalem and attend the first Friday prayers in Jerusalem during the holy month of Ramadan.
Since Oct. 7 2023 when Hamas-led militants attacked southern Israel, the Israeli government has blocked Palestinians in the occupied territory from crossing to Jerusalem or visiting Israel.
Israel has allowed men over 55 and women over 50 to travel from the West Bank to Jerusalem to perform the prayers during Ramadan at Al Aqsa Mosque.
"I entered and they sent me back. The Israeli soldier stopped me and I told him that I am 57 years and three months old. He took me inside to let me through, but then they closed the Checkpoint. They told me to turn around and go back," said Khamis al-Salihi who came from the West Bank city of Nablus.
AP video shot by Imad Isseid
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