Alwaght- The Israeli regime has increased provocative and sacrilegious incursions on Al Aqsa Mosque, third holiest Islamic site as International Quds Day rallies start across the world.
Head of the Supreme Islamic Committee, Sheikh Ekrema Sabri, condemned in the strongest terms the simmering Israeli aggressions on holy al-Aqsa Mosque.
Sheikh Sabri held the Israeli occupation accountable for the soaring tension at al-Aqsa Mosque.
On Sunday morning, the Israeli forces targeted the peaceful Muslim worshipers and protestors at al-Aqsa with teargas canisters after they closed the holy Islamic site. At least 20 worshipers choked on teargas and several others sustained burns.
Sheikh Sabri held the Israeli occupiers responsible for the repercussions of the simmering tension at al-Aqsa, dubbing such aggressions “collective punishment policies.”
Netanyahu closes gate near al-Aqsa Mosque
Israeli regime premier Benjamin Netanyahu on Saturday evening declared Bab al-Amoud (Damascus Gate) near the Aqsa Mosque in Occupied Al Quds (Jerusalem) a closed military zone.
The measure is aimed at punishing the Palestinians in the Old City of Jerusalem following the recent commando operation that was carried out by three Palestinians in Bab al-Amoud area and led to the death of one Israeli policewoman and injured another officer.
According to the measure, the Palestinians are prohibited from staying in and approaching Bab al-Amoud or opening nearby commercial stores.
Netanyahu had instructed leaders of his security and spy agencies, during an emergency discussion held with them on Friday following the Quds operation, to increase security measures and restrict the movement of Palestinian citizens in the holy city, especially in the Old City.
Zionists desecrate al Aqsa Mosque
Elsewhere, Several Palestinian worshipers in the Aqsa Mosque’s courtyards suffered from suffocation on Sunday morning after Israeli police forces escorting Zionist settlers showered them with tear gas grenades.
Eyewitnesses reported that a large number of Israeli troops along with Zionists settlers desecrated the Mosque in the morning and provocatively toured the area located between the grey-domed Mosque and the Dome of the Rock Mosque.
Consequently, confrontations took place at the Islamic holy site after Israeli forces attacked Palestinian worshipers chanting religious slogans in protest at the presence of Zionist settlers and troops.
The situation is remains tense at the holy Islamic site and is expected to escalate, according to local sources.
International Quds Day
The Israeli regime has escalated tensions in an attempt to thwart the International Quds Day which is marked by pro-Palestinian liberation rallies across the world.
The International Quds Day is marked on last Friday of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan which this year falls on 23rd June. During the day rallies are held to commemorate the Palestinian people’s resistance against the Israeli regime and their struggles to liberate their territories especially al-Quds (Jerusalem)which have been occupied by the Israeli regime for decades.
Since 1979, when late founder of Islamic Republic of Iran Imam Khomeini suggested marking Last Friday of holy month of Ramadan as Quds Day, Millions of pro-Palestinian demonstrators, including Muslims and non-Muslims, take to the streets to denounce Israel’s atrocities against the people of Palestine. While elaborating on this day, Imam Khomeini stated that, "The Quds Day is a universal day. It is not an exclusive day for Quds itself. It is a day for the oppressed to rise and stand up against the arrogant."
London Quds Day rallies
Quds Day this year is being marked earlier in Western countries due to this being the last weekend before Eid ul Fitr Holiday. In London protestors march through the city towards the US embassy on Sunday marking International Quds Day. The protestors condemned Israeli occupation regime atrocities against Palestinian while chanting "from the river to the sea, Palestine will be free."
As the demonstrators began marching down London's iconic Regent Street, they chanted "Free, free Palestine" and "from the river to the sea, Palestine will be free," referring to Palestinian territories occupied by the Israeli usurper regime since 1948. Similar rallies are expected to be held across the world with the climax being marches expected to take place in several Muslim countries on Friday.
