More than 75,000 Palestinian worshippers attended Friday prayers at the Al-Aqsa Mosque despite heavy Israeli security measures imposed across occupied East Jerusalem, according to Islamic authorities overseeing the site.

The Islamic Waqf administration said tens of thousands of Palestinians began arriving at the compound from the early morning hours, filling the courtyards of the mosque for weekly prayers. Large deployments of Israeli forces were reported around the gates of the sanctuary and throughout the Old City, where access restrictions and identity checks were intensified ahead of the gathering.

Local officials in Jerusalem said the turnout reflected continued Palestinian determination to maintain a visible presence at the holy site despite mounting pressure and repeated restrictions on access. Witnesses described crowded streets leading to the compound as worshippers travelled from different parts of Jerusalem and surrounding areas.

Reports also indicated that Israeli forces prevented several Palestinian worshippers and activists from reaching the mosque, including elderly residents attempting to access the site through routes near Bab al-Asbat. The measures formed part of broader restrictions frequently imposed around Friday prayers, particularly during periods of heightened tension in the city.

The large attendance came amid growing concern over recent incursions by Israeli settlers into the mosque compound and fears of further attempts to alter the long-standing arrangements governing one of Islam’s holiest sites.