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Israeli Border Police on Friday intercepted approximately 30 Palestinians from the West Bank attempting to enter Jerusalem through an unauthorized seam route near the Nebi Samuel area, officials said, as security tightened for the first Friday of Ramadan.
According to the Israel Police, officers identified a suspicious vehicle transporting several individuals near the route. The car was stopped for inspection, revealing a group believed to be heading into the capital without permits.
Police detained the driver, a 60-year-old Jerusalem resident, on suspicion of assisting the group. He was taken in for questioning by the Jerusalem Border Police’s Investigations and Intelligence Division, authorities confirmed.
Additional suspects were later located nearby on foot. During initial field interrogations, several told officers they were attempting to reach the Temple Mount to attend Ramadan prayers.
The interception came as thousands of Muslim worshippers gathered across Jerusalem for the first Friday prayers of the holy month, traditionally one of the most sensitive and heavily attended periods of the year.
To manage the influx, hundreds of officers from the Israel Border Police and regular police units were deployed throughout the city. Security forces focused on key crossings, checkpoints and the Old City to maintain order and ensure safe access to prayer sites.
Operations were led by Jerusalem District Commander Major General Avshalom Peled, who oversaw crowd control and traffic management efforts across the capital.
At the Qalandiya crossing, one of the main access points for West Bank residents, officers facilitated the entry of permit holders while conducting routine checks. Authorities said the coordinated deployment aimed to prevent unrest while allowing freedom of worship.
Police reported that the noon prayers proceeded without incident, despite the heightened presence. Tens of thousands attended, with medical teams and municipal services on standby to respond to emergencies.
Earlier in the day, a special security assessment was held at the Western Wall, where senior officials reviewed preparations. Police Commissioner Danny Levy joined senior commanders for the briefing.
Israel’s National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir later participated in a situation update, finalizing measures for crowd management and public safety.
Authorities said approximately 10,000 permits were expected to be approved for West Bank Palestinians to attend Friday prayers, subject to government decisions and security evaluations. Officials stressed that policies were intended to balance religious access with safety concerns.
Police also emphasized that the longstanding “status quo” governing religious arrangements at the Temple Mount would remain unchanged. Officers noted there would be no magnetometers or new physical restrictions introduced at the compound.
Deputy Commander Arad Braverman said officers would be stationed around the clock during Ramadan, with reinforcements on peak days. He added that monitoring for incitement, including online misinformation, had increased to prevent potential disturbances.
Emergency services and city authorities, including the Magen David Adom, coordinated closely with police and the Islamic Waqf to manage crowd flows and respond swiftly to incidents.
However, the security approach has drawn criticism from civil society groups. Israeli activist organization Ir Amim accused authorities of implementing what it described as an “aggressive policy” at the site.
The group argued that recent measures, including expanded Jewish prayer activity and tighter entry controls, have altered the delicate status quo and discouraged Muslim worshippers from attending. It cited police data indicating declining numbers of Muslim visitors over the past decade.
Ir Amim called on the government to ease limitations during Ramadan and consider restricting non-Muslim visits during the final ten days of the month, traditionally a period of heightened religious significance.
Police rejected the criticism, maintaining that their priority remains protecting freedom of worship for all faiths while preventing violence or disorder. Officials said they would continue balancing religious sensitivities with security assessments.
As Ramadan progresses, authorities expect further large gatherings in Jerusalem’s Old City. For now, Friday’s prayers concluded peacefully, even as tensions and scrutiny surrounding access to the Temple Mount persist.