Hamas warns Israel against al-Aqsa ‘violations’ during Ramadan

The Palestinian Hamas resistance movement has warned Israel against “violations” at the al-Aqsa Mosque compound during the upcoming Muslim holy month of Ramadhan amid renewed tensions in the Occupied Territories.

According to Press TV, Salah al-Aruri, Deputy Head of the Hamas Political Bureau, said on Tuesday that the risk of escalation entirely “depends on the Israeli occupation’s violations across Palestine and at al-Aqsa Mosque” in East al-Quds.

Any attempt by the Tel Aviv regime to “impose” its policies at the flashpoint sacred site during the fasting month of Ramadhan would be met with the “reaction of our people,” he added.

Ramadhan has often coincided with upticks in violence between Palestinians and Israelis, particularly at al-Aqsa, Islam’s third holiest site.

Under the protection of Israeli forces, settlers have violently stormed al-Aqsa during the holy month of Ramadhan, attacking Palestinian worshipers inside the compound.

“Hamas is closely monitoring the steps taken [by Israel] to occupy al-Quds. Our patience is running out,” Aruri said, emphasizing that the Gaza-based group has no plans to initiate an escalation.

Back in January, Israel’s far-right Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir entered the al-Aqsa Mosque’s courtyards in a highly provocative move.

Palestinians condemned the intrusion as a violation of international law and al-Aqsa’s historical status quo.

The Jewish visitation of al-Aqsa is permitted, but non-Muslim worship is prohibited according to an agreement signed between Tel Aviv and the Jordanian government in the wake of Israel’s occupation of East al-Quds in 1967.

Also in his remarks, Aruri urged al-Quds residents to stand against the policies pursued by Ben-Gvir and other Zionist officials, including the demolition of Palestinian homes and the occupation of their lands.

ME