Hamas Declares al-Aqsa Mosque a “Red Line” for Resistance Efforts
The Palestinian movement Hamas has issued a warning that the al-Aqsa Mosque represents a "red line," vowing to defend the revered site against ongoing attacks and incursions by the Israeli forces, irrespective of the consequences.
In a statement issued on Friday, senior Hamas official and head of the Movement’s al-Quds Affairs Office, Haroun Nasser al-Din, affirmed that the holy site continues to be a paramount religious and national priority.
Nasser al-Din declared that Al-Aqsa represents a critical boundary, emphasizing a firm stance against any actions perceived as hostile towards the Mosque and Jerusalem, regardless of the consequences.
He denounced what he characterized as escalating attempts by Israeli occupation police forces and settlers to restrict Palestinian worshippers’ access to Al-Aqsa’s courtyards, aiming to enforce a new status quo through coercion and Judaization policies.
He stated that the assaults are integral to the occupation’s strategic agenda aimed at depopulating al-Aqsa and establishing undisputed authority over the site.
A Hamas representative commended the unwavering determination of Palestinians who remain active in defending al-Aqsa, despite escalating Israeli restrictions, harassment, and arrests. He noted that their perseverance delivers a powerful message of strong resolve in safeguarding the Mosque.
Nasser al-Din urged Palestinians residing in Jerusalem and areas referred to as 1948-occupied Palestine to remain steadfast at al-Aqsa. He encouraged them to intensify efforts in opposing Israeli initiatives aimed at altering the city’s religious and historical character through Judaization.
Amid stringent restrictions imposed by the Israeli military, around 40,000 Palestinians gathered to offer Friday prayers at the Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied East Jerusalem.
Local sources indicate that Israeli police have implemented stringent security protocols surrounding the holy site, with heightened scrutiny particularly observed at Al-Amud and Al-Asbat gates. Officers were reported to be checking identification, denying entry to numerous worshippers, and detaining several young men trying to gain access.
The Israeli authorities have implemented measures that restrict thousands of Palestinians from the West Bank from accessing Al-Aqsa, requiring them to obtain special permits to cross military checkpoints in Jerusalem.
Human rights organizations have characterized the measures as systemic religious discrimination.
The Palestinian Ministry of Endowments and Religious Affairs has noted a significant increase in Israeli actions against Islamic and Christian holy sites throughout June, with particular attention to the al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied al-Quds and the Ibrahimi Mosque in al-Khalil.
In its monthly report released on Thursday, the ministry reported that Israeli forces and settlers conducted more than 25 incursions into the al-Aqsa Mosque Compound/Al Haram Al Sharif over the course of the month.
The ministry reported that the incursions involved the conducting of Talmudic rituals, restrictions on entry for Muslim worshippers, and limitations on the number of individuals permitted to pray inside.
The report indicated that the mosque faced closure on 11 occasions, citing “security concerns” as the reason.
In al-Khalil, the Ministry reported that Israeli occupation authorities prohibited the call to prayer at the Ibrahimi Mosque 89 times during June and restricted access to worshippers and visitors by shutting the site for 12 consecutive days.
