Hamas calls for intensifying Palestinian presence at al-Aqsa

Spokesperson for Hamas Movement in Occupied Jerusalem Muhammad Hamada called for intensifying Palestinian presence at the al-Aqsa Mosque on Monday and over the next days in face of the Israeli escalation.

Hamada hailed the Palestinian strong determination and steadfastness in defense of al-Aqsa, stressing that Israeli plans to change the status quo in al-Aqsa will not succeed.

The al-Aqsa Mosque will remain purely Islamic, he added, pointing out that al-Aqsa Mosque needs a real support in face of the ongoing Israeli violations.

Since the early morning hours, Israeli police forces deployed in large numbers at the entrances to al-Aqsa, preventing Palestinian worshipers' access and paved the way to hundreds of Jewish settlers under the pretext of the so-called Hebrew New Year.

Palestinian worshipers were violently attacked and pushed back, including women. Some of them were besieged at the tribal prayer hall amid heavy fire of teargas and sound bombs.

In recent days, the Israeli police issued orders banning a number of Islamic Awqaf employees and Muslim worshipers from entering the Aqsa Mosque for different periods and allowed scores of settlers to desecrate it under the pretext of the Jewish holidays.



/129