Following a recent announcement by Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli government says some restrictions will be imposed on access to the Al-Aqsa Mosque in East Jerusalem’s Old City during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, for reasons of “security”.
As one of the holiest sites for Muslims, the Al-Aqsa compound sits atop a hill in the Old City of Jerusalem- it is the third holiest site in the world. As well as being revered by Christians, Jews also revere the site, which they refer to as the Temple Mount.
Access restrictions have long been a source of friction between users and the site, especially during religious holidays like Ramadan, which is scheduled to begin around March 10 of this year.
During a press conference on Monday, Netanyahu’s office stated that Netanyahu had made a balanced decision, in accordance with the security needs determined by professionals, regarding limiting access to certain worshipers during the holy month.
In addition to this, his office did not provide any further information.
It is the Palestinian group Hamas that rules the Gaza Strip which has denounced the planned restrictions and called on the Palestinian people to mobilize in opposition to them.
According to the Palestinian Commission of Inquiry, these restrictions are a continuation of the Zionist criminality and religious warfare being perpetrated against Palestinians by our terrorist occupation government, led by the extremist settlers group.
Palestinians on the West Bank, in Jerusalem and throughout Israel were urged to reject the occupation’s arrogance and insolence towards al-Aqsa Mosque as well as mobilize to organize a steadfast and determined stand in Al-Aqsa Mosque.
There are often restrictions placed on the number of worshippers permitted at a site by Israel, citing security concerns as the reason.
It has been reported that Israeli forces have carried out violent raids at this site in the past during Ramadan as well.
In addition to this announcement, Israel has warned that the assault on Gaza will continue throughout the month of Ramadan, even in the heavily populated area of Rafah in the south of the Gaza Strip.
“Benny Gantz, a cabinet member of the Israel Defense Forces, said on Sunday that if the hostages are not returned to their families by Ramadan, the fighting will continue everywhere, as well as in Rafah,” Gantz said.
As soon as possible, we will coordinate our actions with American and Egyptian partners in order to facilitate the evacuation of civilians in consultation with them in order to minimize civilian casualties to the greatest extent possible.”
There are two choices available to Hamas. In the event that they surrender, the hostages can be released, and the Palestinian civilians of Gaza can celebrate Ramadan with their families,” he said.
A report based on official figures shows that at least 1,139 people have been killed in Israel’s assault on Gaza since October 7 as a result of Hamas attacks on the country. In addition, approximately 250 other people were taken captive by the group.
According to Palestinian authorities, Israel’s bombardment and ground invasion of Gaza in recent months have resulted in the death of more than 29,000 people. More than 80 percent of Gaza’s population has been displaced as a result of the conflict, and much of Gaza has been reduced to rubble.
Despite Netanyahu publicly describing Hamas’ demands as “delusional”, negotiations over a possible exchange between hostages and prisoners appear to have stalled in recent weeks due to the lack of progress in negotiating the truth.
Despite the fact that the United States is Israel’s strongest ally, it has expressed its hope that a pause in hostilities might be possible, but it has also indicated that it will veto a draft resolution calling for a ceasefire at the UN, as well as arguing against any measures that might threaten “the opportunity for an enduring resolution of hostilities”.
There is an increasing amount of international pressure aimed at forcing Israel to halt the war in the enclave, especially since UN agencies have warned of catastrophic damages to the enclave and the loss of lives if Israeli forces push on towards Rafah. However, Netanyahu has continued to insist that he intends to destroy Hamas as part of his war goals.
It is despite growing antigovernment protests and an upsurge of anger from desperate relatives of the remaining captives that Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu promised “total victory” over Hamas on Sunday.
In Gaza, Israel believes that there are about 130 prisoners, including 30 people who are presumed dead, still alive.
Timenews provided that news.
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