Pakistan condemns storming of Al Aqsa Mosque by Israeli forces

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Tuesday strongly condemned the storming of Al Aqsa Mosque by Israeli occupation forces, according to a statement issued by the Foreign Office.

The reaction came a day after far-right Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir entered the Al Aqsa Mosque compound in East Jerusalem, according to the Palestinian news agency Wafa. The report, citing the Islamic Waqf Department in Jerusalem, said the minister toured the mosque’s courtyards after entering through the Mughrabi Gate and moving towards the Chain Gate before leaving through the same route, while occupation police were deployed heavily in the area.

Wafa also reported that Ben-Gvir has entered the mosque around 14 times since taking office in 2023, describing the visits as part of an escalating policy concerning the site.

In its statement, the Foreign Office said “Pakistan condemns in the strongest possible terms the storming of Al Aqsa Mosque by Israeli occupation forces.”

The Foreign Office said the incident was a direct attack on the sanctity and historical character of the holy site and also amounted to a violation of international law and relevant United Nations resolutions.

It further stated that Pakistan rejected all attempts by the Israeli occupying authorities to change or weaken the established religious, historical and legal status of Al Aqsa Mosque. The statement also called on the international community to take urgent and effective steps to stop such provocations.

The Foreign Office reiterated Pakistan’s continued support for the Palestinian cause, including what it described as the inalienable right of the Palestinian people to self-determination.

It also reaffirmed Pakistan’s support for the establishment of an independent, sovereign, viable and contiguous Palestinian state based on the pre-June 1967 borders, with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital.

Restrictions at holy sites

That, for the first time since 1967, Al Aqsa Mosque was closed at the end of Ramazan, as tensions increased among Palestinians while Israeli authorities kept the complex shut.

Since Israel and the United States started a war on Iran on Feb 28, Israeli authorities have closed access to Jerusalem’s holy sites over security concerns. These include Al Aqsa Mosque for Muslims, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre for Christians and the Western Wall for Jews.

Pakistan’s statement came amid continuing concern over developments at one of Islam’s holiest sites, with Islamabad urging international action and reiterating its longstanding position on Palestine.