Gazans pray on Temple Mount for first time since ’07

Marcy Oster

JERUSALEM (JTA) — Hundreds of Palestinians from Gaza prayed on the Temple Mount — the first religious visits from Gaza allowed by Israel since Hamas took power in the strip in 2007.

Some 500 worshipers prayed Sunday at the Al-Aksa Mosque for the Muslim holy day Eid al-Adha, which began the previous day.

Israel reportedly granted 1,500 permits for Palestinians age 60 and older to pray in Jerusalem for Eid al-Adha.

The permits were granted in the wake of this summer’s 50-day conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza.