Hamas says preventing Palestinians from entering Al-Aqsa continuation of war

By Mohammed Al Ragawi

ISTANBUL, Türkiye (AA) - Hamas on Friday said it considered Israel's prevention of Palestinians from entering the Al-Aqsa Mosque as a continuation of war waged by Israel against the Palestinian people, calling on the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and the Arab League to take action.

In a statement it said “the tightening of the occupation forces' restrictions on the Palestinian people in Jerusalem, preventing them from reaching the Al-Aqsa Mosque on Friday, and attacking them, is a continuation of the comprehensive war waged by the enemy against our people, land, and sanctities.”

It said Palestinians are confronting it with “courage and sacrifice, and they will not allow it or any Zionist aggression to pass.”

Hamas warned of the “danger of escalation in Jerusalem and Al-Aqsa,” calling on “the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and the Arab League to take serious and effective action to protect Al-Aqsa and the Islamic and Christian sanctities from the schemes of the Zionists and their malicious Judaization projects.”

Earlier in the day, Israeli police attacked Palestinians in East Jerusalem after preventing them from reaching the Al-Aqsa Mosque for Friday prayers.

Witnesses said Israeli police fired sound bombs and tear gas at Palestinians.​​​​​​​

Large police contingents were deployed at the gates of the Old City, and checkpoints were set up to prevent worshipers from passing, and only elderly individuals were allowed to cross.

Since the start of the latest conflict in Gaza on Oct. 7, Israeli police have imposed severe restrictions on the entry of worshipers to the mosque, which intensify on Fridays.

Armed groups and illegal Israeli settlers in the West Bank have also increased attacks on Palestinians, a development that has been decried by the UN and several other countries.

*Writing by Rania Abu Shamala