Israeli Desecration of Al-Aqsa, Raids on Worshipers Strongly Condemned

(P)GCC Secretary General Jassim Muhammed al-Budaiwi said in a statement that the incursions by Israeli forces constitute an act of desecration and aggression against Islam’s third holiest site.

Al-Budaiwi warned against the continued desecration and attacks on holy sites in the occupied Palestinian territories, holding the Tel Aviv regime fully responsible for the dangerous repercussions of escalating the status quo and sowing the seeds of sedition and hatred.

Al-Budaiwi reiterated the (P)GCC countries’ firm support for the Palestinian cause and holy sites in the occupied lands, Palestinians’ full sovereignty over all territories occupied since 1967, and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with East al-Quds as its capital.

He also called on the international community to adopt practical measures aimed at protecting Palestinian civilians and confronting attempts meant to alter the legal and demographic status of al-Quds.

Qatari Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani also denounced the Israeli regime’s attempts to change the historical and legal status of al-Aqsa Mosque, imposing restrictions and assaults on Palestinian worshipers. Al Thani urged the international community to shoulder its responsibilities toward protecting the rights of the Palestinian people.

The Israeli forces have wounded and rounded up hundreds of Palestinians during the attacks that have seen a rise since the beginning of Ramadan. Illegal Israeli settlers have been freely violating the compound under the Israeli military and police force’s protection.

Since the start of the holy month, the Israeli regime has imposed strict restrictions on the entry and exit of Palestinians to and from the gates of al-Aqsa Mosque. Amid heightened tensions with Palestinian worshipers, Israeli settlers also press ahead with their frequent incursions and provocative rituals at the holy site.

On Thursday, at least 30 rockets were reportedly launched from southern Lebanon into the Israeli-occupied territories in retaliation against the Israeli aggression against al-Aqsa. Resistance fighters based in Gaza also fired several rockets toward the occupied territories.

Palestinian sources said the regime’s Iron Dome failed to intercept most of the retaliatory rockets. Following the rocket attack, Israeli warplanes hit targets inside Gaza and positions of the Palestinian resistance movement Hamas in Lebanon.

The Israeli regime has in recent months stepped up its atrocities, killing around 100 Palestinians this year alone.