The Palestinian resistance movement Hamas has warned that Israeli extremist minister Itamar Ben-Gvir’s confirmation of plans to build a Jewish synagogue in the Al-Aqsa Mosque was a dangerous statement.
“What Terror Minister Ben Gvir revealed this morning represents a dangerous statement that reflects the occupation regime’s true intentions towards Al-Aqsa and its Arab and Islamic identity, as well as its criminal steps to Judaize and tighten control over the city,” the resistance group said in a statement on Monday.
The far-right Israeli minister had previously stated that if he could, he would build a synagogue on the Al-Asqa Mosque complex in occupied East Al-Quds.
“If I could do what I wanted, a synagogue would also be built on the Temple Mount,” Ben Gvir, who has long been known for his inflammatory statements, told Israeli Army Radio on Monday morning.
Hamas called on Palestinian youth to gather at the Al-Aqsa compound, remain present in the courtyards and oppose the plans of the occupation regime.
“We also call on our brave resistance and our revolutionary youth in the occupied West Bank to escalate their clashes with the criminal enemy and its settler herds,” the statement said.
Ben Gvir and several other Israeli politicians have long violated this delicate agreement by allowing raids and performing rituals at the holy site.
And this despite the fact that non-Muslims are forbidden from praying and participating in rituals in the Al-Aqsa Mosque – the third holiest site in Islam – due to decades-old international agreements.
The resistance group said the regime had given its extremist ministers free rein to carry out their evil plans in occupied Al-Quds.
“The daily desecration, storming and carrying out provocative visits are measures that will only add fuel to the fire and will only meet with even more resistance from our people who want to protect our sanctuaries.”
Hamas also called on the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) to “take serious measures to stop these systematic violations of the holy site”.
“Arab and Islamic nations must fulfill their responsibility in protecting Al-Aqsa Mosque,” it said.
“The Islamic countries led by the OIC are called upon to assume their responsibility and take a firm stance against the occupation’s plans and its blatant attacks on Islamic and Christian holy sites, especially the blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque,” it added.
Elsewhere in the statement, Hamas said the regime’s plan was part of unprecedented crimes committed by the “fascist regime” in the besieged Gaza Strip and “widespread violations” in the occupied West Bank.
More and more Palestinians are falling victim to the American-Israeli genocide, while the blockaded area continues to be relentlessly bombarded by air and artillery.
Since last October, at least 40,435 Palestinians have been killed and over 93,534 others injured in Israel’s genocidal war.
