The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia condemned, today, Sunday, the storming of the courtyards of the blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque by Israeli settlers and described it, “a serious violation of international law and the historical and legal status quo in Jerusalem and its sanctities”
The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed in a press statement today, Sunday, that the continuous violations and attacks on holy sites exacerbate tension and push the situation into a continuous cycle of violence
It stressed its call on the international community to assume its responsibilities to end the escalation of the Israeli occupation and provide the necessary protection for the Palestinian civilians and make all efforts to end this long-running conflict
تغطية صحفية: "مئات المستوطنين يقتحمون المسجد الأقصى بحماية قوات الاحتلال" pic.twitter.com/M0ElwCNWuv
— AlQastal القسطل (@AlQastalps) August 7, 2022
This comes as hundreds of Israeli settlers stormed the courtyards of Al-Aqsa Mosque today, Sunday, from the side of the Mughrabi Gate, heavily guarded by the Israeli occupation forces, on what marks the so-called anniversary of the alleged “destruction of the Temple”, amid attacks on Jerusalemites in the mosque’s courtyards, and the arrest of A number of citizens, activists, and journalists, while a military plane flew over the mosque.
The Islamic Endowments Department in Jerusalem reported that 28 groups of settlers stormed the courtyards of Al-Aqsa Mosque, bringing the number of invaders to 2021 since the start of the raids at seven o’clock, in the morning.
It explained that the Israeli occupation forces assaulted women stationed in Al-Aqsa Mosque and those stationed at the gates of the mosque. They also arrested photojournalist, Muhammad Asho, after assaulting him at Bab al-Silsila, photographer Ahmed Gharabla and Jerusalemite activist Muhammad Abu al-Hummus after he was attacked at the Al-Aqsa Square.
The Israeli occupation forces deployed at the gates of the Old City and the Al-Aqsa Mosque and its roads, especially the open doors of Bab al-Silsila, Bab Hatta, and Bab al-Majlis. Iron berms were installed. Young men and women and those under the age of 50 were prevented from entering.
Sources reported that thousands of settlers gathered in Al-Buraq Square, and hundreds of them gathered in front of the Mughrabi Gate in order to storm Al-Aqsa, in response to the calls of the settlement associations to carry out mass incursions into the courtyards of the Temple Mount, to commemorate what they call the memory of the destruction of the Temple.
Sources added that the settlers attacked the residents of Bab Hatta, under the protection of the occupation police.
At seven in the morning, the settlers began storming the courtyards of the Temple Mount in successive groups, with the first group of fifty settlers accompanied by the extremist Rabbi Yehuda Glick
The Israeli occupation forces deployed members of their special units in the courtyards of the Temple Mount to provide guards for the intruders, to keep Palestinians away from their path, and prevent their movement during the tours of the provocative settlers in Al-Aqsa courtyards.
MK Itamar Ben Gvir participated in a provocative march of settlers towards the Damascus Gate and the alleys of the Old City carrying the flags of the occupying state, while the Israeli occupation forces stationed at the gates of Al-Aqsa Mosque prevented Palestinians under the age of 50 from entering it to perform the dawn prayer, in order to secure the settlers’ incursions into Al-Aqsa.
A number of settlers performed what they call epic prostration in the courtyards of Al-Aqsa, while the worshipers confronted the intruders and their provocations with Takberat (exclamations).
Since last night, the Israeli occupation police have closed the axes and streets leading to the blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque from Rockefeller, Wadi Al-Joz, Bab Al-Asbat, Ras Al-Amud and Wadi Hilweh .
The Israeli occupation government decided, last night, to allow settlers to storm Al-Aqsa, and to send additional elements of the police to protect the intruders.
In the late hours of the night and early in the day, groups of settlers performed Talmudic rituals in the Old City at one of the gates of Al-Aqsa Mosque in commemoration of the so-called “destruction of the Temple “.
Member of Knesset Itamar Ben Gvir participated in these rituals, which began with a provocative march of settlers towards Bab al-Amud and the alleys of the Old City, carrying Israeli flags, guarded by the occupation forces.
Shortlink for this post: https://daysofpalestine.ps/?p=23317