Egypt has strongly condemned the Israeli Minister of Nationwide Safety Itamar Ben-Gvir’s storming of Al-Aqsa Mosque on Thursday, 26 December, beneath the safety of Israeli occupation forces.
In a assertion launched on the identical day of the incident, the Egyptian Ministry of Overseas Affairs described the act as a “provocative step” and a blatant violation of the “historic and authorized established order of the holy website.”
The ministry additionally warned that such extremist actions incite the emotions of Muslims worldwide and undermine alternatives for peaceable coexistence.
Cairo referred to as on Israel to meet its obligations as an occupying state and to respect the sanctity of Al-Aqsa Mosque as a spot of worship solely for Muslims.
The assertion additionally urged the worldwide group, notably the United Nations Safety Council, to take decisive measures to halt these violations.
Moreover, Egypt emphasised the significance of reaching a simply and complete decision to the Palestinian situation that ensures the institution of an unbiased Palestinian state primarily based on the borders of 4 June 1967, with East Jerusalem as its capital.
The storming marks the fourth such incursion by Ben-Gvir since he assumed his ministerial place. Palestinian worshippers have been barred from getting into the compound throughout the minister’s presence, whereas Israeli police tightened safety measures across the Outdated Metropolis.
The incident sparked condemnation from the Palestinian Authority, Jordan, which administers the mosque, and Hamas, all of whom described it as a provocation and a violation of the historic and authorized established order, which reserves the positioning for Muslim worship.
The humanitarian situation within the West Financial institution has deteriorated over the previous 14 months ever because the onset of Israel’s struggle on Gaza.
The United Nations Workplace for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reported that between January 2023 and November 2024, 968 Palestinians, together with 210 youngsters, have been killed by Israeli forces and settlers throughout the occupied West Financial institution.
Most not too long ago, Israeli army raids on the Tulkarem and Nur Shams refugee camps within the occupied West Financial institution on 24 December left not less than eight Palestinians lifeless, together with two girls and a youngster, in keeping with the Palestinian Well being Ministry.