Jerusalem, Feb. 19 -- Israel has approved a plan to allow 10,000 Palestinians from the occupied West Bank to attend Friday prayers at the Al-Aqsa Mosque during the holy month of Ramzan, subject to strict security screening and advance permits.

The Israeli government's Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT) on Wednesday, February 18, said the decision followed a security assessment and was approved by the political leadership, the Anadolu Agency reported. The plan will require worshippers to obtain daily permits in advance for each Friday prayer throughout the month.

Under the announced criteria, access will be limited to men aged 55 and above, women aged 50 and above, and children up to the age of 12 if accompan...