03:53Eid al-Fitr prayers took place in Al-Aqsa Mosque in East Jerusalem on Wednesday, with Muslims gathering at the site despite both the rain and intensive security measures enforced by Israel amid the ongoing Gaza war.
"We are striving to normalise [the festivities]…yet nothing is normal within these conditions of war that the Palestinians are enduring, especially in Gaza," said Mohammed Aweys. "For this reason, our happiness is incomplete because we share the suffering of our people in Gaza and in Palestine in general."
Footage inside shows crowds packing out the place of worship as well as many more in the courtyard outside the mosque.
"We are pleased with the number of worshippers arriving despite that many people were forcibly prevented from reaching Al-Aqsa Mosque," claimed Abu Saaed al-Maqdisi.
The Islamic Endowments Department in Jerusalem reported that more than 60,000 believers had attended. Some worshippers admitted that the ongoing conflict had changed some of the traditions.
"Every year we used to distribute sweets in the Eid, but not this year as our joy is incomplete because of the ordeal of our people in Gaza. So we are commemorating our martyrs by distributing dates," explained Baraa Shadi.
Israel imposed certain restrictions at the mosque due to what Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office called 'security needs' during Ramadan, with only younger children and older Palestinians from the West Bank given access.
Eid al-Fitr marks the end of Ramadan. Fighting continues in Gaza between Israel and Hamas as the conflict enters its seventh month.
Eid al-Fitr prayers at Al-Aqsa Mosque as thousands brave rain and intensive Israeli security
Eid al-Fitr prayers took place in Al-Aqsa Mosque in East Jerusalem on Wednesday, with Muslims gathering at the site despite both the rain and intensive security measures enforced by Israel amid the ongoing Gaza war.
"We are striving to normalise [the festivities]…yet nothing is normal within these conditions of war that the Palestinians are enduring, especially in Gaza," said Mohammed Aweys. "For this reason, our happiness is incomplete because we share the suffering of our people in Gaza and in Palestine in general."
Footage inside shows crowds packing out the place of worship as well as many more in the courtyard outside the mosque.
"We are pleased with the number of worshippers arriving despite that many people were forcibly prevented from reaching Al-Aqsa Mosque," claimed Abu Saaed al-Maqdisi.
The Islamic Endowments Department in Jerusalem reported that more than 60,000 believers had attended. Some worshippers admitted that the ongoing conflict had changed some of the traditions.
"Every year we used to distribute sweets in the Eid, but not this year as our joy is incomplete because of the ordeal of our people in Gaza. So we are commemorating our martyrs by distributing dates," explained Baraa Shadi.
Israel imposed certain restrictions at the mosque due to what Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office called 'security needs' during Ramadan, with only younger children and older Palestinians from the West Bank given access.
Eid al-Fitr marks the end of Ramadan. Fighting continues in Gaza between Israel and Hamas as the conflict enters its seventh month.
Eid al-Fitr prayers took place in Al-Aqsa Mosque in East Jerusalem on Wednesday, with Muslims gathering at the site despite both the rain and intensive security measures enforced by Israel amid the ongoing Gaza war.
"We are striving to normalise [the festivities]…yet nothing is normal within these conditions of war that the Palestinians are enduring, especially in Gaza," said Mohammed Aweys. "For this reason, our happiness is incomplete because we share the suffering of our people in Gaza and in Palestine in general."
Footage inside shows crowds packing out the place of worship as well as many more in the courtyard outside the mosque.
"We are pleased with the number of worshippers arriving despite that many people were forcibly prevented from reaching Al-Aqsa Mosque," claimed Abu Saaed al-Maqdisi.
The Islamic Endowments Department in Jerusalem reported that more than 60,000 believers had attended. Some worshippers admitted that the ongoing conflict had changed some of the traditions.
"Every year we used to distribute sweets in the Eid, but not this year as our joy is incomplete because of the ordeal of our people in Gaza. So we are commemorating our martyrs by distributing dates," explained Baraa Shadi.
Israel imposed certain restrictions at the mosque due to what Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office called 'security needs' during Ramadan, with only younger children and older Palestinians from the West Bank given access.
Eid al-Fitr marks the end of Ramadan. Fighting continues in Gaza between Israel and Hamas as the conflict enters its seventh month.