Hundreds Attend Ramadan Prayers at Al-Aqsa Mosque

 Palestinian worshippers pray in front of the Dome of the Mosque at the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in Jerusalem on the first day of the Muslim holy fasting month of Ramadan, on March 11, 2024, amid ongoing battles between Israel and the group Hamas. (AFP)
Palestinian worshippers pray in front of the Dome of the Mosque at the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in Jerusalem on the first day of the Muslim holy fasting month of Ramadan, on March 11, 2024, amid ongoing battles between Israel and the group Hamas. (AFP)
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Hundreds Attend Ramadan Prayers at Al-Aqsa Mosque

 Palestinian worshippers pray in front of the Dome of the Mosque at the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in Jerusalem on the first day of the Muslim holy fasting month of Ramadan, on March 11, 2024, amid ongoing battles between Israel and the group Hamas. (AFP)
Palestinian worshippers pray in front of the Dome of the Mosque at the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in Jerusalem on the first day of the Muslim holy fasting month of Ramadan, on March 11, 2024, amid ongoing battles between Israel and the group Hamas. (AFP)

Hundreds of Palestinians attended prayers at a major Jerusalem holy site on the first day of the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan.

The congregation at the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound on midday Monday was far smaller than in previous years. At some entrances, Israeli forces could be seen turning some worshippers away, citing unspecified security concerns. At one entrance, however, worshippers could be seen filing through without being stopped.

The compound is the third holiest site in Islam. It is built on a hilltop that is the holiest site for Jews, who refer to it as the Temple Mount because it was the location of the two Jewish temples in antiquity.

The site has long been a major flashpoint in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Tensions have soared in recent years as Israel has allowed increasing numbers of Jews to visit the compound. That has stoked Palestinian fears that Israel intends to take over or partition it.

Israel’s government, which includes prominent religious ultranationalists, denies having any such plans. Israeli authorities have said they will allow normal access to Muslim worshippers this year, even as war raging in Gaza threatens to spill over across the region.

Hamas has called on Palestinians to confront Israeli forces during Ramadan, the holy month of dawn-to-dusk fasting.



Hamas: Israel's Claim on Hostages' Handover Ceremony is Pretext to Evade Obligations

Fighters from Hamas' Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades escort Israeli hostage Omer Shem Tov before handing him over to the Red Cross in Al Nusairat refugee camp, central Gaza Strip, 22 February, 2025. EPA/MOHAMMED SABER
Fighters from Hamas' Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades escort Israeli hostage Omer Shem Tov before handing him over to the Red Cross in Al Nusairat refugee camp, central Gaza Strip, 22 February, 2025. EPA/MOHAMMED SABER
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Hamas: Israel's Claim on Hostages' Handover Ceremony is Pretext to Evade Obligations

Fighters from Hamas' Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades escort Israeli hostage Omer Shem Tov before handing him over to the Red Cross in Al Nusairat refugee camp, central Gaza Strip, 22 February, 2025. EPA/MOHAMMED SABER
Fighters from Hamas' Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades escort Israeli hostage Omer Shem Tov before handing him over to the Red Cross in Al Nusairat refugee camp, central Gaza Strip, 22 February, 2025. EPA/MOHAMMED SABER

Hamas on Sunday condemned Israel's decision to postpone the release of Palestinian prisoners and detainees, saying its claim that the hostages' handover ceremonies are "humiliating" was false and a pretext to evade Israel's obligations under the Gaza ceasefire agreement.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin "Netanyahu's decision reflects a deliberate attempt to disrupt the agreement, represents a clear violation of its terms, and shows the occupation's lack of reliability in implementing its obligations," Ezzat El Rashq, a member of the Hamas political bureau, said in a statement.

Israel said earlier it was delaying the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners it had planned to free the day before until Hamas met its conditions, underscoring the fragility of the Gaza ceasefire accord.

Netanyahu's office released a statement in the early hours of Sunday saying that Israel was waiting to deliver the 620 Palestinian prisoners and detainees "until the release of the next hostages has been assured, and without the humiliating ceremonies."

According to Reuters, Hamas' El Rashq said the ceremonies do not include any insult to the hostages, "but rather reflect the humane and dignified treatment of them,” adding that the "real insult" is what the Palestinian prisoners are subjected to during the release process.

The Palestinian militant group official cited the hands' tying of the Palestinian prisoners and detainees and their blindfolding and threatening them not to hold any celebrations for their release as examples of their humiliation at the hands of Israeli authorities.

Hamas has made hostages appear on stage in front of crowds and sometimes speak before they were handed over. Coffins with hostage remains have also been carried through crowds.

Israel's announcement, which also accused Hamas of repeatedly violating the month-old ceasefire, came after the Palestinian militant group on Saturday handed over six hostages from Gaza as part of an exchange arranged under the truce.