Al-Aqsa Mosque preacher warns of Israeli efforts to evacuate neighborhoods surrounding holy site

Pars Today — Sheikh Akramah Sabri, the preacher of Al-Aqsa Mosque, has warned about efforts by the Israeli regime to evacuate neighborhoods surrounding the holy site and replace them with Israeli settlements, stressing that such measures could alter the character and demographic fabric of the area.

According to Pars Today, citing IRNA, the Al-Aqsa Mosque preacher praised the steadfastness of Palestinian residents of the neighborhoods surrounding the holy site, saying their resilience constitutes the first line of defense for maintaining the Palestinian presence in occupied al-Quds.

Majed Abu Qteish, one of the leaders of the Palestinian Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas), had previously warned against plans aimed at Judaizing the area and called for a greater Palestinian presence at Al-Aqsa Mosque.

The senior Hamas member said: “We call on the Palestinian people to increase their presence and steadfastness at Al-Aqsa Mosque. We urge everyone who can reach the mosque to step up their mobilization and maintain a permanent presence in its courtyards, in order to reaffirm the Islamic identity of Al-Aqsa Mosque and protect the holy site against plans to divide and Judaize it.”

He added: “The continued raids by settlers on the blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque and the increasing desecration of the courtyards of this holy site are being carried out with the support and backing of the extremist occupying regime, with the aim of imposing plans to Judaize the site and establish complete control over it.”

Israeli Forces Raid the West Bank

Meanwhile, news sources reported that Israeli forces had raided Palestinian-populated areas across the occupied West Bank.

According to Pars Today, citing IRNA, Israeli forces raided the village of Awarta, southeast of Nablus, early Tuesday. The forces also entered the village of Tell, southwest of Nablus, accompanied by a truck carrying explosives, and began planting explosives at the home of martyr Farouq Ramadan in preparation for its demolition.

Israeli forces also raided the town of Anza, south of Jenin. During a raid on the town of Ya'bad, southwest of Jenin, they arrested Amer Bashar Abu Shamlah after storming his home.

According to the Palestinian Red Crescent Society, a Palestinian was injured when armed settlers attacked the town of Burin, south of Nablus.

The Palestinian Red Crescent also reported that two other Palestinians were injured during an Israeli military raid on the town of Burqa, northwest of Nablus.

The occupying forces also attacked the city of Qalqilya and the town of Kufayrit, south of Jenin.