Islamic Jihad slams Israeli incursion into al-Aqsa Mosque, vows to defend sanctities

The Palestinian Islamic Jihad resistance movement has condemned Israeli forces for breaking into a prayer area along the eastern wall of the al-Aqsa Mosque compound, reaffirming the Palestinian nation’s readiness to defend their sanctities against the Tel Aviv regime’s violations.

Islamic Jihad Spokesman Tariq Salmi denounced in a statement the incursion into the Bab al-Rahma (The Gate of Mercy) prayer space, saying, “The measure falls within the occupying regime’s targeted onslaught against the holy site.”

“Our people will remain steadfast in defending their land and sanctities and will never shirk their duties toward the sacred al-Aqsa Mosque,” Salmi asserted.

He noted that the Bab al-Rahma prayer area is a part of al-Aqsa Mosque, vowing that the occupying Zionist regime’s attempts to exert its control over that quarter will never be successful.

Salmi also said that any act of aggression against al-Aqsa Mosque or other holy sites in al-Quds will draw a strong response from resistance fighters and evoke severe repercussions across West Asia.

According to Palestine’s official news agency Wafa, Israeli troops stormed the Bab al-Rahma prayer area on Saturday. They destroyed electrical installations, lighting and speakers inside, as people were celebrating the Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of the holy fasting month of Ramadhan.

Israeli authorities originally sealed off the prayer space at the Bab al-Rahma Gate in 2003 during the second Intifadha (uprising). 

They alleged at the time that the site was being used by members of the Islamic Movement in Israel’s Northern Branch for political activities – an allegation denied by the Islamic Waqf Department, which is in charge of al-Aqsa Mosque affairs.

A total of 120,000 Palestinian worshipers performed the Eid al-Fitr prayers at the al-Aqsa Mosque compound on Friday despite strict measures taken by Israel.

ME