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Palestinians defend sanctity of Al-Aqsa as IOF attempts to expel them

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies + Al Mayadeen Net
3 Apr 2023 10:28
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Israeli Occupation Forces attack the worshippers stationed in the Al-Qibli prayer hall in Al-Aqsa Mosque and threaten to arrest women if they do not leave the holy site.

An elderly Palestinian takes part in Friday prayers at the Al-Qibli Mosque in the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in the Old City of Jerusalem during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, Friday, March 31, 2023. (AP)

On Sunday evening, Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) renewed their aggression against the Al-Aqsa mosque's Al-Qibli Prayer Hall. According to Palestinian media, the IOF attempted to forcibly expel worshippers from the hall.

عاجل| قوات الاحتلال تطرد النساء من المصلى القبلي بالمسجد الأقصى، وتهددهن بالاعتقال حال عدم إنهاء الاعتكاف. pic.twitter.com/9ArVuPZoTP
— شبكة قدس الإخبارية (@qudsn) April 2, 2023

The IOF also threatened to arrested the women if they did not leave the mosque. According to local media, the detainees refused to surrender to Israeli threats and resisted expulsion.

Yesterday as well, the IOF attempted to expel Palestinians stationed in the Al-Qibli prayer hall.

However, yesterday, the Palestinians stationed inside the hall locked the doors from the inside and prevented the IOF from entering.

Witnesses indicated, according to Anadolu Agency, that the IOF had cut off power to the hall and attempted to break in and force the stationed worshippers out of the area.

It is also worth noting that on April 1, Al Mayadeen's correspondent in occupied Al-Quds reported that the IOF opened fire on a Palestinian near Bab Al-Silsila in Al-Aqsa Mosque.

#شاهد قوات الاحتلال تعتدي على المواطنين على أبواب المسجد الأقصى. pic.twitter.com/0pPMkgiX5A
— Newpress | نيو برس (@NewpressPs) March 31, 2023

Our correspondent cited witnesses as saying that Mohammad Al-Osaibi, 26, was martyred at the hands of the Israeli forces.

At the time of the attack, the IOF closed the doors of Al-Aqsa Mosque and the Old City in Al-Quds, and assaulted Palestinian worshippers as they were leaving the Mosque through Bab Al-Qataneen.

Hamas: We will continue resisting until Al-Aqsa mosque is liberated

Addressing a rally, on March 25, in support of Resistance fighters, the Head of Hamas' media department Ali Al-Amoudi pledged that the Palestinian movement, alongside its fellow resistance groups, will resist Israeli occupation until the complete liberation of the Al-Aqsa Mosque.

Commenting on the regular illegal Israeli settlers' raids on the mosque--under the protection of a large number of Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF)-- Al-Amoudi declared that the Palestinian holy sites in Al-Quds are the target of a religious war being waged by the Israeli occupation.

"All [various Palestinian] fronts are united throughout Palestine," Amoudi added, referring to Gaza as the spearhead of the resistance against the occupation.