Hamas Calls Israel A Disgrace Due To Restricting Palestinians To Al Aqsa

Al Aqsa/UNSPLASH Mosque/

JAKARTA - The Hamas warrior group called Israel's plan to restrict Palestinians' access to the Al Aqsa Mosque during the holy month of Ramadan a reflection of the Zionist blasphemy and religious war launched by the radical elements of the Israeli government against the Palestinian people.

In a statement released Sunday (18/2), Hamas criticized Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's stance in approving the call of right-wing National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir to bar Palestinians from entering Al Aqsa during Ramadan.

Hamas said the plan was a violation of freedom of worship at the holy mosque.

Reported by ANTARA from Anadolu, Monday, February 19, the announcement, according to Hamas, also shows Israel's intention to increase its attack on the Al Aqsa Mosque during Ramadan.

Hamas called on Palestinians in Jerusalem, the West Bank and Israel to reject and counter Israel's "criminal decision", and urged them to flock to the Al Aqsa Mosque.

Channel 13 Israel reported earlier that despite warnings from Israel's internal security agency (Shin Bet) that there would be clashes between Israeli police and Palestinians in Israel, Netanyahu approved restrictions on entry of Palestinians to the Al-Aqsa Mosque during Ramadan.

Only a handful of Palestinians will be allowed to enter the mosque during the month.

Israel's war cabinet member, Benny Gantz, said on his social media accounts that the restrictions would be imposed on Al Aqsa Mosque during Ramadan, but it was not clear what would be done.

The restrictions, according to the Shin Bet, could trigger greater unrest than that in Jerusalem, the West Bank, and surrounding areas in 1948 when Israel's formation was declared.

Since Israel's attack on the Gaza Strip last October, Israeli police have continued to limit access to the Al Aqsa Mosque for Palestinians in Israel, especially for those attending Friday prayers.

However, about 25 thousand Palestinians made it to the Al Aqsa Mosque on February 16, to attend the first Friday prayer at the mosque since the Israeli attack took place.

Friday's restrictions on prayers at Al Aqsa Mosque from October 2023 to Friday have been the longest in history, according to an unnamed Muslim Waqf Service official in Jerusalem.

Israeli attacks on Gaza since October 7, 2023 have killed nearly 29 thousand Palestinians. Meanwhile, about 1,200 Israelis are believed to have died as a result of Hamas attacks.

The United Nations (UN) said the Israeli invasion caused 85 percent of Gaza's population to be expelled from their homes, 60 percent of Gaza's infrastructure was damaged and destroyed, as well as food, clean water, and medicines to become very rare.