Believers attacked as Israeli forces storm Al-Aqsa once more

Today, Wednesday, an Al-Arabiya correspondent reported that Israeli forces had again stormed the Al-Aqsa Mosque and attacked worshipers and those in itikaf.

“Al-Kibli Siege Mosque”

He confirmed that Israeli forces attacked worshipers with stun grenades, gas and rubber bullets, adding that Israeli forces had surrounded the al-Qibli prayer hall and attacked worshipers in mosques, beating them with sticks.

For its part, the Palestinian Red Crescent Society in Jerusalem said that its brigades were working in the area of ​​the Al-Aqsa Mosque, and it was first wounded after leaving the mosque, where it was taken to the hospital.

Earlier, the Palestinian information network Shehab reported that Israeli forces had stormed the Mughrabi Gate.

Israeli forces stormed the courtyards of the Al-Aqsa Mosque this morning and arrested several Palestinians, prompting widespread condemnation from Arabs and the international community.

Saudi Arabia: Flagrant Invasion

The Saudi Arabian Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed its categorical rejection of this practice, which “undermines peace efforts and is contrary to international principles and norms regarding respect for religious shrines.”

She said the Kingdom was following this “egregious” invasion with great concern, emphasizing its stance in “supporting all efforts to end the occupation and achieve a just and comprehensive solution to the Palestinian question,” according to a SPA report. “.

“Reduce tension”

For his part, John Kirby, National Security Council spokesman at the White House, said: “We remain deeply concerned about the ongoing violence at the Al-Aqsa Mosque” and “call on all parties to avoid further escalation.”

He added: “More than ever, Israelis and Palestinians must work together to reduce these tensions and restore calm.”

Guterres in shock

In turn, UN Secretary-General António Guterres on Wednesday expressed his “shock” and “surprise” at the level of violence used by Israeli security forces against Palestinians at the Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied East Jerusalem. on Tuesday evening.

“The Secretary General is shocked and stunned by what he saw this morning of scenes of violence and beatings by the Israeli security forces at the Al Qibli Mosque in Jerusalem, which took place during a period sacred to Jews, Christians and Muslims alike, a period that should be for peace,” said Stéphane Dujarric, spokesman for Guterres, “and non-violence.”

emergency meeting

The events at the Al-Aqsa Mosque prompted the Arab League to hold today an emergency meeting at the level of permanent delegates, in coordination with the Palestinian and Egyptian sides, at the invitation of Jordan, to discuss developments in the Palestinian territories.

The Jordanian Foreign Ministry confirmed the continuation of the movement at the Arab level “for the cessation of Israeli attacks, which are a flagrant violation of international humanitarian law, as well as an unacceptable and reprehensible act aimed at changing the historical and legal status of Jerusalem and its shrines.” .”

Jordan also stressed that it “will take all steps and measures that will stop the dangerous Israeli escalation and warn of its consequences,” Jordan News Agency reported.

irresponsible behavior

In turn, Arab League Secretary General Ahmed Abul Gheith condemned the storming of the Al-Aqsa Mosque, calling these actions “irresponsible behavior.”

The Arab League statement cited Abul Gheith’s call to the international community, represented by members of the Security Council, to “act quickly to push Israel to end this dangerous escalation that threatens to ignite the situation in the occupied Palestinian territories.” .”

Abul Gheit urged the Israeli government to stop these “provocative actions”.

Egypt: egregious attacks

For its part, Egypt condemned in the strongest possible terms the Israeli police assault on the Al-Aqsa Mosque and the accompanying “egregious attacks” that resulted in numerous injuries to worshipers and retreaters.

And the Egyptian Foreign Ministry said in a statement that “such hateful and reprehensible scenes and Israel’s repeated violations of the sanctity of the holy places fuel feelings of anger and anger among all Palestinian and Islamic peoples.”

The Foreign Ministry also called on the Israeli authorities to “immediately stop these attacks that terrify believers,” blaming Israel for the escalation, which it said would undermine efforts to bring calm.

According to the statement, Egypt also called on the international community to take responsibility to end this practice and rid the region of further factors of instability and tension.

Kuwait: dangerous escalation

Likewise, Kuwait also underlined its strong opposition to this invasion, which constitutes a “serious escalation and flagrant violation of international law and relevant United Nations resolutions.”

The Kuwait Foreign Ministry called on the United Nations and the entire international community to move quickly to serious and effective steps to “stop these provocative and repeated violations by Israel and ensure that the sanctity of the holy places is respected.”

Sultanate of Oman: gross violation of international law

The Sultanate of Oman also considered Israel’s actions “an egregious violation of international and humanitarian law” and called on the international community to take responsibility for curbing these “persistent and illegal Israeli provocative actions.”

He called on the Omani Foreign Ministry to “enable the Palestinian people to obtain their legitimate rights by ending the occupation and establishing a just and comprehensive peace.”

Qatar: a provocation on the feelings of two billion Muslims

In Qatar, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs considered these actions “a dangerous escalation and a flagrant attack on holy sites, a continuation of the policy of Judaization of Jerusalem, a violation of international law and resolutions of international legality, and a provocation of the feelings of more than two billion Muslims in the world.”

In a statement, Qatar’s Foreign Ministry warned against making any changes to the historical and legal status of the Al-Aqsa Mosque and Jerusalem, holding the Israeli authorities solely responsible for the cycle of violence that would result from their “systematic policy” against human rights. the Palestinian people.

Qatar called on the international community to take urgent action to stop these measures, emphasizing its stance on the rights of the Palestinian people, including “the full right to practice their religious rites without restriction and to establish their independent state on the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as the capital.”

Yemen calls on the international community to stop this recurring escalation

In a statement, the Yemeni Foreign Ministry called on the international community to leave the “plaza of silence” and immediately start working to stop this repeated escalation against the Palestinian people and Islamic holy places.

The Yemeni News Agency quoted the Foreign Ministry as affirming the right of the Palestinian people to establish their own independent state with East Jerusalem as its capital, in accordance with all international resolutions and legislation.

Great Britain in shock

Internationally, Tariq Ahmed, Minister for the Middle East and Africa at the British Foreign Office, said his country was shocked by the storming of the Al-Aqsa Mosque by Israeli security forces.

And the British minister warned on his Twitter account that “violence only leads to more violence,” emphasizing the need to respect holy sites.

Türkiye: unacceptable

Israel’s actions were also condemned by Turkey, where the Anatolia news agency quoted the foreign ministry as saying that the attack on worshipers at the Al-Aqsa mosque during the month of Ramadan was “unacceptable.”

Ankara called on the Israeli government to immediately stop all “provocative actions” and attacks that could lead to escalation of tension in the region.

400 detainees

It comes after Israeli police stormed the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem’s Old City at dawn on Wednesday and fired stun grenades at Palestinian youths who were throwing fireworks at them, amid a spate of violence during the month of Ramadan and the Jewish Passover.

For its part, the Palestinian Authority for Prisoners Affairs announced that Israeli forces arrested more than 400 Palestinians during the storming of the Al-Aqsa Mosque, noting that the latter fired bullets and tear gas canisters at the pilgrims.

The Israeli police said they took action after several young people brought fireworks, sticks and stones and barricaded themselves in the mosque, and that the young people shouted slogans of violence and closed the doors.

It also claimed that “after many lengthy attempts to convince them to leave voluntarily, but to no avail, the police had to enter the property to escort them out.”