Arab League condemns IOF raid on Al-Aqsa mosque in strongest terms

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
5 Apr 2023 19:40
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League of Arab States Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit called on the Zionist regime to be considerate of the Muslim holy month and cease provocative actions.

Arab Foreign Ministers 153rd annual meeting at the Arab League headquarters in the Egyptian capital Cairo on March 4, 2020 (AFP)

The League of Arab State (LAS) on Wednesday condemned on the strongest terms the raid carried out by the Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) on the Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied Al-Quds, and demanded that "Israel" cease terrorizing Palestinians during the holy month of Ramadan.

"League of Arab States Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit strongly condemned the raid by Israeli forces on the Al-Aqsa Mosque, the attack on worshippers, and the arrest of some 400 Palestinians, stressing that these irresponsible actions in holy places affect the religious feelings of millions of Muslims worldwide, especially during the holy month of Ramadan," the LAS said in a statement.

It further called on the Israeli regime to be considerate of and cease provocative actions during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.

This comes after the IOF conducted a violent raid on the mosque on Tuesday as Palestinians were performing their evening prayers. Worshippers were beaten up, attacked with stun grenades, rubber bullets, batons, and rifle butts, and over 350 of them were reported to be arrested, Palestinian sources said.

In response to the aggression, resistance factions in Gaza fired ten rockets into "Israel". Four of them were intercepted by air defense systems and the remaining landed in open areas.

Israeli sources reported that explosions were heard in the illegal settlement of "Sderot" in the Gaza envelope. Israeli military aircraft later said they fired strikes against targets in the Gaza Strip.

Last night, the Israeli occupation stormed #AlAqsa Mosque, one of the holiest sites in #Islam, and mercilessly assaulted worshippers. Illegal Israeli settlers later stormed the mosque after the IOF forcibly expelled all the #Palestinian worshipers.

While Western media describe… pic.twitter.com/nQzQ1itGcI
— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) April 5, 2023

Earlier today, the Egyptian news agency MENA reported that the LAS is due to hold an emergency meeting on Wednesday at the level of permanent representatives in coordination with Egypt, Jordan, and Palestine.

The focus of the meeting will be to develop a unified Arab League stance on the Israeli raid.

On a related note, a source in the Turkish Foreign Ministry told Sputnik on Wednesday that Ankara strongly condemns the actions of the IOF.

"We curse the Israeli security forces for violating the holy status of Al-Aqsa Mosque and attacking those who shelter there, as well as arresting a significant number of Palestinians. Attacks on worshippers at Al-Aqsa Mosque during the holy month of Ramadan are unacceptable," the source said, noting that Ankara is worried about tensions fueling in the region around the Gaza Strip.

Repeatedly Media showing the news of Russia & Ukraine war is just to divert people's minds from Gaza Attacks.

Israeli forces storm Masjid Al Aqsa, used Gas Bombs, Guns, Rockets, mercilessly beat up the Worshipers in Masjid Al Aqsa, #Palestine today in holy month of Ramadan. pic.twitter.com/YEPl41JbZg
— Arfat Siddique (Lakdawala) (@siddique_arfat) April 5, 2023

Egypt and Jordan likewise expressed their condemnation of the Israeli aggression.

The Egyptian Foreign Ministry considered that such hateful and reprehensible scenes, and repeated Israeli violations of the sanctity of the holy places, stir feelings of anger among all the Palestinian people and the Islamic nation.

Similarly, Jordan strongly condemned the storming of Al-Aqsa Mosque and called on the Israeli occupation to stop such acts against worshippers, which it said violate international norms, holding the occupation fully responsible for any consequences.

The foreign ministry of the Sanaa government condemned the Israeli occupation's storming of the holy places, the attack on Palestinian worshippers in the Al-Aqsa Mosque, and the arrest of hundreds of them.

In a statement, the Ministry affirmed that "these Zionist practices require a firm response and increased resistance to ensure that the enemy is prevented from once again violating the sanctity of Al-Aqsa Mosque."

The Ministry also held the Israeli occupation full responsibility for all the repercussions that may result from its continued aggression.

Horrifying footage coming out of Al Aqsa mosque tonight of Israeli occupation forces viciously beating Muslim worshippers in one of the holiest sites on earth and during the holiest month for Muslims. pic.twitter.com/56DlG6QCA9
— Aadil (@ParrayAadil002) April 5, 2023

In a statement, the Saudi Foreign Ministry said Saudi Arabia was following with concern the developments at Al-Aqsa Mosque.

The Ministry affirmed that the Kingdom condemns this blatant incursion and expresses its categorical rejection of these practices that violate international principles and norms that call for respect of religious sanctities.

Saudi Arabia reaffirmed its position in supporting all efforts aimed at ending the Israeli occupation and reaching a just and comprehensive solution to the Palestinian cause.