Resistance factions call for storming Israeli security gates as Hamas tells Israel al-Aqsa a red line
21 July 2017News Agencies
Prominent Palestinian resistance factions in the Gaza Strip have urged the
Palestinian citizens in Occupied Jerusalem to storm Israeli security gates and
force their way into the Aqsa Mosque compound.
This came in a news conference held on Thursday evening in Gaza by Hamas,
Islamic Jihad, the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine and the
Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine.
In a statement read during the news conference, the factions called on the
Palestinian people to travel en masse to the Aqsa Mosque to confirm their
inalienable right to Jerusalem and the Aqsa Mosque.
The factions declared their full support for their people in Jerusalem,
warning that its armed wings would retaliate to any reckless act committed by
the Israeli occupation forces against the Palestinian protesters and the Aqsa
Mosque in Jerusalem.
They also called on the Arab League and the Organization of Islamic
Cooperation to hold emergency sessions to take action to protect the Aqsa
Mosque.
Meeting on Aqsa with Israeli ambassador in Amman yields no result
The Israeli occupation police on Friday started to impose tight restrictions
on the entry of Palestinian worshipers to the Old City of Jerusalem as the
security cabinet announced its refusal to remove the security gates at the
Aqsa Mosque’s entrances.
More police forces and barriers were already deployed overnight in different
areas of the holy city, especially in its Old City and around the Aqsa Mosque.
The Israeli police also prevented buses carrying Muslim worshipers from
Israeli occupied areas from entering the holy city for the Friday prayer.
In a press release, the police said they increased the number of their forces
in and around Jerusalem, especially in the Old City and at the Aqsa Mosque
after Palestinians called for a day of anger on Friday against Israeli
security measures at the Islamic holy site.
They added that all Palestinian men under age 50 would be barred from entering
the Old City and the Aqsa Mosque.
Hamas tells Israel al-Aqsa restrictions are a red line
Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh warned Israel on Thursday that its infringement on
the al-Aqsa Mosque is a "red line" that will only stiffen the resistance to
the Israeli occupation of East Jerusalem.
The Gaza-based leader made the warning as he urged Palestinians to engage in a
"day of rage" against Israel's increased security measures around the mosque
compound.
Hanieyh said that the "al-Aqsa mosque and Jerusalem are a red line", and that
"the closure and punitive measures on Jerusalemites and sanctuaries will not
be allowed" in a televised speech.
Israel initially closed the sacred site, which is known to Jews as the Temple
Mount, after two Israeli soldiers were killed by Arab-Israeli attackers.
On Friday, Israeli authoritiesprevented access to the mosque for men under the
age of 50.
Palestinian groups argue that the measures are in fact part of a broader
hardline Israeli plan to change the status quo of the sacred site, which is
revered by both Muslims and Jews.
In his speech, Haniyeh accused "the Zionists" of preventing Muslims from
practicing their faith as well and called upon Palestinians to resist
"schemes" to control the area.
In response to the measures, Muslim worshippers have boycotted the al-Aqsa
Mosque to snub the increased security measures implemented by Israel.
Despite this, Israel's cabinet on Friday decided that the metal detectors will
stay, likely paving way for further unrest around Jerusalem.
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