Hamas Urges Concerted Action to Protect Al-Aqsa Mosque
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Head of the political bureau of the Palestinian resistance movement Hamas called on the whole Palestinian groups and Muslim countries to take action to halt the Israeli regime's atrocities in the city of Jerusalem, al-Quds.
In an interview with Al-Sharq Portal on Wednesday, Khaled Mashaal called for widespread condemnation of the Tel Aviv regime’s recent provocative moves in al-Quds.
The only thing that could stop the Israeli enemy’s measures is “revolution”, he emphasized.
Moreover, by directly naming Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Egypt and Morocco, Mashaal appealed to all Arab and Islamic states to help protect the Al-Aqsa Mosque.
The responsibility of protecting the holy mosque does not fall on the Palestinian nation only, but the whole Islamic community is also responsible in this regard, he added.
“Resorting to any options in support of the Al-Aqsa Mosque is acceptable, and showing resistance and national anger at the enemy is an introduction to these options,” the Palestinian figure explained.
His comments came against the backdrop of simmering tensions in al-Quds after Israeli authorities prevented Palestinian worshippers from entering the Al-Aqsa Mosque last week and are pressing ahead with plans to construct new settler units in East al-Quds (Jerusalem).
Israel reopened Al-Aqsa mosque compound for the Muslim Friday prayers, but restricted entry for Muslim men under the age of 50, following a closure due to clashes sparked by the killing of a Palestinian by police.
The Al-Aqsa Mosque, a holy site at the heart of the clashes, was shut down for almost an entire day to all visitors.
Al-Quds has been witnessing months of violence with al-Aqsa mosque compound standing as a rallying point for Palestinian resistance to the Israeli attempts to take control of the holy site.
