Tension continues at Masjid al-Aqsa… New raid by fanatical Jews
Raids by fanatical Jews against Masjid al-Aqsa continue due to the Festival of Pesach (Passover), which runs from April 5 to 13.
As Israeli police guarded Jewish settlers who entered the Masjid al-Aqsa courtyard in groups today, many policemen were stationed around Qibla Masjid, where Muslims pray. In a written statement made by the Palestinian Islamic Foundations Administration responsible for Masjid al-Aqsa, it was claimed that 1,531 fanatical Jewish settlers, consisting of 23 different groups, participated in the raid.
As the fanatical Jews passed through the Aqsa courtyard, the Muslims there protested the raid by saying takbirs. A group of Palestinians and Muslims from different countries, including Turks, were praying in congregation at the point where fanatical Jews passed through.
The disproportionate use of force by Israeli police against Muslims at the Al-Aqsa Mosque on two nights in a row last week, using sound bombs, rubber bullets and batons, heightened tensions in occupied East Jerusalem and increased tensions in the West Bank.
CALL FOR ‘RAID ON AKSA’
Fanatic Jews increased their calls for raids on Aksa during the Passover from April 5 to 13. During this period, Palestinians, expecting a raid, called Muslims to Itikaf at Masjid al-Aqsa during Ramadan.
Fifteen fanatical Jewish rabbis wrote letters to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir calling for Jewish settlers to be allowed to sacrifice at Masjid al-Aqsa on Passover, he had suggested.
Assault West Bank
As tensions continued in East Jerusalem, Israeli forces killed a Palestinian child and wounded 2 others in the West Bank raid.
Israeli soldiers raided the Aqaba Jabr refugee camp in the southern West Bank city of Jericho. The Palestinian Health Ministry reported that in the raid fired by Israeli soldiers with live bullets, 15-year-old Mohammed Bilhan died from bullets that hit his head, chest and stomach. It was also noted that 2 Palestinians were injured in the attack.
This year, 96 Palestinians have lost their lives in raids and attacks by Israeli forces and Jewish settlers in the West Bank. (AA)