The Palestinian resistance movement Hamas has warned of an “all-out regional war” if the Israeli regime and its settlers continue to expose al-Aqsa Mosque in the occupied Old City of Jerusalem al-Quds to provocative violations. RNA - Hamas spokesman Fawzi Barhoum issued the warning in a press release on Monday, saying that Tel Aviv would pay dearly for any war triggered as a result of its provocative behavior to infuriate Palestinians at the al-Aqsa Mosque compound.
Barhoum also called on the Palestinians in the occupied East Jerusalem al-Quds and the West Bank to enhance their resistance against the occupying entity throughout Palestine.
The Hamas spokesman urged the Arab and Muslim population to support Palestinians in the occupied territories and pressure the decision-makers in their countries to speak out against violations and atrocities perpetrated by Israel in Jerusalem al-Quds and the al-Aqsa Mosque.
‘Israel’s practices at Aqsa Mosque will burn it’
In a related development, various Palestinian resistance factions in the Gaza Strip censured Israel’s “barbaric attacks” against the al-Aqsa Mosque, warning that the violations “will be the spark of an upcoming explosion that will burn it along with its settlers and terrorist leaders.”
The factions urged the Palestinians in a joint statement to intensify their presence at the holy site and defend it through carrying out more resistance operations against the Israeli violations.
Earlier on Monday, scores of Israeli settlers desecrated the al-Aqsa Mosque’s courtyards after entering through the Bab al-Maghariba gate under the protection of the regime forces.
The Israeli security forces also assaulted a number of women outside the Mosque and arrested two Palestinian activists.
As part of recent mass break-ins into the Islamic holy site, more than 750 Israeli settlers violated the al-Aqsa Mosque compound under the strict protection of regime forces on Thursday.
The al-Aqsa Mosque compound sits just above the Western Wall plaza and houses both the Dome of the Rock and the al-Aqsa Mosque.
Except for Fridays and Saturdays, Israeli settlers violate the mosque in the morning and in the afternoon on almost a daily basis.
Hard-line Israeli legislators and extremist groups also regularly violate the al-Aqsa Mosque compound in the occupied city, a provocative move that infuriates Palestinians.
According to an agreement signed between Israel and the Jordanian government after Israel’s occupation of East Jerusalem al-Quds in 1967, non-Muslim worship at the compound is prohibited.
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