Israeli police forces have been deployed en masse to once again limit Palestinian access to the al-Aqsa Mosque compound in East al-Quds (Jerusalem) during the holy month of Ramadan. 

Tens of thousands of Palestinians have been banned from attending the second Friday prayer event in Ramadan, Press TV reported. 

Access has been denied to all men under the age of 50 and all women under the age of 45. 

Palestinians have called the restrictions a “collective punishment,” and said that the movement-restrictions imposed on them have affected their economy significantly and made traveling extremely difficult. 

This is not the first time that Israel limits access to the al-Aqsa Mosque compound for Friday prayers. 

During the first Friday of Ramadan (August 5), they only allowed men aged between 45 and 50 to enter the compound. 

Furthermore, Israel has on several occasions attacked Palestinian worshippers inside the compound using tear gas, stun guns and rubber bullets. 

Al-Aqsa is one of the holiest sites in Islam. It has been the scene of violent clashes between Palestinian worshipers and Israeli troops in the course of the occupation of Palestinian territories by the Tel Aviv regime. 

(Source: Press TV)