Hamas accuses Israel over Al-Aqsa Mosque decision

In a written statement, Hamas reacted to reports that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had expressed support for restricting Palestinian access to the Al-Aqsa Mosque during Ramadan.

The statement characterized Netanyahu's approval of a call by Israel's far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir to ban Palestinians from entering the Al-Aqsa Mosque during Ramadan as an "escalation of the Zionist crime and religious war waged by radical Jewish settlers in the Israeli government against the Palestinian people."

The statement noted that restricting the entry of those coming to pray constitutes a "violation of the freedom of worship at the holy Al-Aqsa Mosque," emphasizing that this demonstrates Israel's intention to increase its attacks on the Al-Aqsa Mosque during the month of Ramadan.

Calling on Palestinians living in Jerusalem, the West Bank, and Israel to reject and resist "this criminal decision," the statement urged Palestinians to "take action and flock to the Al-Aqsa Mosque."

A report by Israel's Channel 13 yesterday stated that despite warnings from the internal security agency Shin Bet (Shabak) that clashes could occur between police and Palestinians within Israel, Netanyahu had approved the restriction of Palestinian access to the Al-Aqsa Mosque during Ramadan.

CALLED FOR A BAN

The report noted that a final decision on the matter is expected in the coming days, adding that only a limited number of Palestinians would be allowed into the Al-Aqsa Mosque during Ramadan.

Israeli War Cabinet member Benny Gantz also stated on his X social media account, "Restrictions will be imposed regarding the Al-Aqsa Mosque during Ramadan, but what these will be has not yet been clarified."

Israel's far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir had previously called for a ban on Palestinian entry to the Al-Aqsa Mosque during the month of Ramadan in a post on his X social media account.

According to reports in the Israeli press in recent days, the Shin Bet had warned politicians that restricting the entry of Palestinians from Israeli territory (territories occupied in 1948) and Jerusalem to Al-Aqsa would lead to major security problems.

Since October 7, 2023, Israeli police have been imposing restrictions on entry to the Al-Aqsa Mosque, particularly on Fridays.

News Source: AA