Skip linksSkip to Content
play
Live
Navigation menu
  • News
    • Africa
    • Asia
    • US & Canada
    • Latin America
    • Europe
    • Asia Pacific
  • Middle East
  • Explained
  • Opinion
  • Sport
  • Video
    • Features
    • Economy
    • Human Rights
    • Climate Crisis
    • Investigations
    • Interactives
    • In Pictures
    • Science & Technology
    • Podcasts
play
Live

In Pictures

Gallery|Conflict

Celebrating Ramadan in occupied Palestine

Despite heightened tensions, thousands of Palestinians still flocked to the holy al-Aqsa Mosque compound.

Traversing the roads of Israeli military occupation for Ramadan
Israeli soldiers stand at the entrance to the Qalandiya military checkpoint during the holy month. [Emily Mulder/Al Jazeera]
By Emily Mulder
Published On 7 Jul 20167 Jul 2016
facebooktwitterwhatsappcopylink

Palestinian Muslims celebrated the end of Ramadan this week, despite ongoing violence and an increased Israeli military presence in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem.

After a deadly attack in Tel Aviv at the start of the holy month, Israeli authorities initially froze more than 80,000 permits for Palestinians to travel outside the West Bank, although some were later allowed to cross into Jerusalem to visit holy sites and family. 

While heightened tensions kept many at home, the Old City was still flooded with Muslim pilgrims and Palestinian worshippers as thousands gathered at Damascus Gate, the main entry point to reach the revered al-Aqsa Mosque compound.

INTERACTIVE: Inside al-Aqsa – A 360-degree tour

As youths, packed shoulder-to-shoulder, cheered and set off fireworks from the steps of the iconic gate, Israeli forces stormed the area several times on a recent night.

“If the army didn’t come here, there wouldn’t be so many problems,” an elderly Palestinian man told Al Jazeera after watching Israeli police detain a youth.

Israel’s Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories told Al Jazeera that nearly 300,000 people crossed through military checkpoints across the West Bank during the four Fridays of this year’s Ramadan. The Old City remained busy throughout, until Eid al-Fitr brought Ramadan to an end on Wednesday.

Traversing the roads of Israeli military occupation for Ramadan
Palestinians approach Israeli soldiers at the checkpoint. [Emily Mulder/Al Jazeera]
Advertisement
Traversing the roads of Israeli military occupation for Ramadan
Palestinians cross through the Qalandiya checkpoint on their way to Jerusalem for Ramadan celebrations. [Emily Mulder/Al Jazeera]
Traversing the roads of Israeli military occupation for Ramadan
Young Palestinian men look out over Damascus Gate. [Emily Mulder/Al Jazeera]
Traversing the roads of Israeli military occupation for Ramadan
Damascus Gate, packed with people, was cleared by Israeli forces several times on a recent night. [Emily Mulder/Al Jazeera]
Traversing the roads of Israeli military occupation for Ramadan
Israeli forces run above Damascus Gate before clearing the area. [Emily Mulder/Al Jazeera]
Traversing the roads of Israeli military occupation for Ramadan
Tear gas lingers as Israeli forces disperse the crowds outside Damascus Gate. [Emily Mulder/Al Jazeera]
Advertisement
Traversing the roads of Israeli military occupation for Ramadan
Israeli forces on horse and foot cleared Salah al-Din street in front of Damascus Gate after dispersing crowds there. [Emily Mulder/Al Jazeera]
Traversing the roads of Israeli military occupation for Ramadan
Israeli forces detain a young Palestinian man after youths threw empty bottles at forces clearing the Damascus Gate area. [Emily Mulder/Al Jazeera]
Traversing the roads of Israeli military occupation for Ramadan
Palestinians await iftar inside a shoe shop in the heart of the Old City after a day of fasting. [Emily Mulder/Al Jazeera]
Traversing the roads of Israeli military occupation for Ramadan
Old City shop owners broke their fasts at nearby stores, as the lead-up to Eid al-Fitr is a peak shopping time. [Emily Mulder/Al Jazeera]
Traversing the roads of Israeli military occupation for Ramadan
Israeli forces stand amid the post-iftar bustle at Damascus Gate. [Emily Mulder/Al Jazeera]
Traversing the roads of Israeli military occupation for Ramadan
Residents of Bethlehem's Aida refugee camp, most unable to travel to al-Aqsa owing to Israeli restrictions, wait near the camp mosque before evening prayers on Eid al-Fitr. [Emily Mulder/Al Jazeera]
Traversing the roads of Israeli military occupation for Ramadan
Aida camp refugees mark the Eid holiday by welcoming home a resident who returned after 18 months in Israeli prison. [Emily Mulder/Al Jazeera]
Traversing the roads of Israeli military occupation for Ramadan
A resident of Aida refugee camp walks along a camp thoroughfare shortly before evening prayers on Eid al-Fitr. [Emily Mulder/Al Jazeera]


  • About

    • About Us
    • Code of Ethics
    • Terms and Conditions
    • EU/EEA Regulatory Notice
    • Privacy Policy
    • Cookie Policy
    • Cookie Preferences
    • Sitemap
    • Work for us
  • Connect

    • Contact Us
    • User Accounts Help
    • Advertise with us
    • Stay Connected
    • Newsletters
    • Channel Finder
    • TV Schedule
    • Podcasts
    • Submit a Tip
  • Our Channels

    • Al Jazeera Arabic
    • Al Jazeera English
    • Al Jazeera Investigative Unit
    • Al Jazeera Mubasher
    • Al Jazeera Documentary
    • Al Jazeera Balkans
    • AJ+
  • Our Network

    • Al Jazeera Centre for Studies
    • Al Jazeera Media Institute
    • Learn Arabic
    • Al Jazeera Centre for Public Liberties & Human Rights
    • Al Jazeera Forum
    • Al Jazeera Hotel Partners

Follow Al Jazeera English:

  • facebook
  • twitter
  • youtube
  • instagram-colored-outline
  • rss
Al Jazeera Media Network logo
© 2025 Al Jazeera Media Network