DaysofPal- Hamas movement strongly criticized on Tuesday the incursion of Al-Aqsa Mosque by the far-right Israeli minister Itamar Ben Gvir, warning of “serious consequences” and labeling the move a deliberate provocation against Islamic holy sites, as Israeli forces simultaneously carried out raids and detentions across the occupied West Bank.
In a statement, the movement said Ben Gvir’s entry into the Al-Aqsa compound amounted to a “flagrant violation” of the mosque’s sanctity and reflected the ongoing policy aimed at undermining Islamic holy places and advancing Judaization efforts.
Hamas stated that the Israeli occupation is pursuing a religious confrontation in Jerusalem, pointing to the inadequate Arab and Islamic responses to the minister’s previous visits.
Hamas emphasized that Al-Aqsa Mosque represents a “red line,” affirming that Palestinians would continue to protect it “by all available means.”
It urged Palestinians in Jerusalem, the 1948 territories, and the West Bank to head to the mosque and maintain a presence there, while calling on Arab and Islamic states and the international community to intervene urgently to stop the repeated violations.
Local sources said Ben Gvir entered the compound on Tuesday afternoon, accompanied by 18 Israeli occupation forces, 17 settlers, and nine members of special units.
Dozens of additional settlers reportedly entered the site under police protection and carried out the provocative Talmudic rituals in the mosque’s courtyards.
The condemnation came as Israeli forces intensified operations across the West Bank.
Raids were reported in several villages northeast of Ramallah, including al-Mughayyir, where sound grenades were allegedly used. Restrictions were tightened at the Ein Sinya checkpoint north of Ramallah, and the Atara gate was closed.
Israeli forces also entered the nearby villages of Kafr Malik and Abu Falah, stopping and searching vehicles and detaining several residents outdoors amid heavy rain and cold weather. No immediate arrests were reported.
Meanwhile, settlers reportedly set up a new outpost between the villages of Rummanah and Deir Dibwan, east of Ramallah.
In the south, Israeli forces raided al-Khader town west of Bethlehem. In the Hebron area, four young men were arrested from the al-Buweira area east of the city.
Another resident was detained, and several others were held temporarily during a raid on Khirbet al-Mafqara in Masafer Yatta, with the Israeli occupation citing the need to protect settlers who had released livestock near Palestinian homes.
Israeli forces also raided the home of the family of slain Palestinian Walid Sabarneh in Beit Ummar, north of Hebron, arresting Mohammad Mahmoud al-Hamamdeh and confiscating his mobile phone.
Several other residents, including women and children, were briefly detained during house searches.
Additional raids were reported in Anabta, east of Tulkarem, while in occupied Jerusalem, Israeli occupation forces entered the town of Silwan, south of the Al-Aqsa Mosque. Earlier, forces also raided Shuafat refugee camp north of the city.
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