ISRAELI SETTLERS INTENSIFY ATTACKS ON AL-AQSA MOSQUE

Al-Quds (Jerusalem), 17 Dzulhijjah 1435/11 October 2014 (MINA) – Dozens of Israeli settlers stormed on Thursday morning Shehabi neighborhood, adjacent to the Al-Aqsa Mosque, in order to perform Talmudic rituals in coincidence with the biblical Sukkot holiday.

“The large numbers of Palestinian worshipers, who remained in the Mosque last night, forced Israeli police to close the Magaribeh Gate, which is only accessible for settlers’ break-ins, and prevented settlers’ access into al-Aqsa,” local sources said.

The Israeli decision to close the Magaribeh Gate came after the large-scale local and international condemnation of the unprecedented Israeli attacks and assaults on Palestinian worshipers yesterday, the Palestinian Information center (PIC) quoted by Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA) as reporting.

Palestinian worshipers declared their intention to intensify their presence in al-Aqsa Mosque over the coming days in light of the escalated calls by Jewish fanatic groups to carry out collective break-ins into the Mosque during the Jewish holiday.

The expert in Jerusalemite issues Jamal Omro as saying that Israeli police tightened security restrictions at all entrances and gates leading to the Islamic holy place and erected military checkpoints throughout the Old City.

The Israeli massive campaign against al-Aqsa Mosque and settlement expansion came as part of Israeli premier Benjamin Netanyahu’s attempts to gain more support among Israeli society.

On Wednesday, the Israeli police imposed a tight military siege on the areas around the Aqsa Mosque and prevented all Palestinian women and Palestinian men under age 60 from praying inside the Aqsa compound, while 70 settlers were allowed to enter it.

In the same context, Hamas said on Thursday that Israeli occupation stepped up its attacks and violations in al-Aqsa Mosque due to the Arab and international silence.

Hamas called on the Arab and Muslim peoples and governments to step in and take serious measures against Israeli vandalism, urging the masses to make of Occupied Jerusalem their own and only political and cultural concern “because the survival of the entire nation depends on the survival of Jerusalem and its holy sites.”

The Movement urged Palestinians in occupied Jerusalem, in occupied 1948 Palestinian territories, and the West Bank to head to Al-Aqsa Mosque and maintain vigil in its yards and to defend the holy site. (T/P008/P3)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)