Israeli Occupation Plans to Storm al-Aqsa on Eid al-Adha

Dome of the Rock at al-Aqsa Mosque compound in the Old City of Jerusalem. (File photo: AFP)
Dome of the Rock at al-Aqsa Mosque compound in the Old City of Jerusalem. (File photo: AFP)
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Israeli Occupation Plans to Storm al-Aqsa on Eid al-Adha

Dome of the Rock at al-Aqsa Mosque compound in the Old City of Jerusalem. (File photo: AFP)
Dome of the Rock at al-Aqsa Mosque compound in the Old City of Jerusalem. (File photo: AFP)

Jewish extremist and settler groups plan to storm the al-Aqsa mosque compound under the protection of occupation forces on the first day of Eid al-Adha which also marks the anniversary of the so called “Tisha Bav,” warned President Mahmoud Abbas’ adviser for religious affairs Mahmoud al-Habbash.

He stressed that the whole world should work to prevent this crime before it is too late, noting that such move could trigger religious strife in the region and have dangerous consequences.

Habbash asserted that the Palestinian people will protect al-Aqsa Mosque and its sanctity.

He called on all the Palestinian people who are able to reach al-Aqsa to attend Eid prayers and support Jerusalemites in protecting and defending the Mosque, stressing that the Palestinian leadership, headed by Abbas, is following up the developments with concern.

“We will do everything possible, together with our people, to protect al-Aqsa Mosque,” he asserted.

Mufti of Jerusalem and Palestine Sheikh Mohammed Hussein announced that Eid al-Adha prayers at the Mosque will be at 7:30 am instead of 6:30, after the threats of occupation forces and settlers to storm the compound.

In his Friday sermon at the Mosque, Hussein urged all Palestinians to come to the Mosque on the first day of Eid, stressing that al-Aqsa is for Muslims only and that it is not subject to negotiations or bargaining.

In a joint statement signed by the Islamic Supreme Council, Council of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs and Holy Sites, and Hussein, Palestinian officials announced that all mosques in Jerusalem will be closed and that Eid prayers will take place in al-Aqsa.

Fatah movement urged the people to participate in the prayers at al-Aqsa, emphasizing its important status.

Meanwhile, dozens of Palestinians performed Friday prayers outdoors in a sit-in tent in Wadi al-Hummus, in occupied East Jerusalem, to protest Israel's demolition of several homes last month.

On July 22, Israel demolished 16 Palestinian-owned buildings in Sur Baher and displaced dozens of Palestinians in the process. The demolition sparked wide scale condemnation from Arab and other states.

Most of the demolished lands of Sur Baher are categorized within Area A under Palestinian sovereignty, according to the Oslo Agreement.



US Defers Removal of Some Lebanese, Citing Israel-Hezbollah Tensions

Smoke billows from a site targeted by Lebanon's Hezbollah, along the northern Israeli border with Lebanon on July 25, 2024, amid ongoing cross-border clashes between Israeli troops and Hezbollah fighters. (AFP)
Smoke billows from a site targeted by Lebanon's Hezbollah, along the northern Israeli border with Lebanon on July 25, 2024, amid ongoing cross-border clashes between Israeli troops and Hezbollah fighters. (AFP)
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US Defers Removal of Some Lebanese, Citing Israel-Hezbollah Tensions

Smoke billows from a site targeted by Lebanon's Hezbollah, along the northern Israeli border with Lebanon on July 25, 2024, amid ongoing cross-border clashes between Israeli troops and Hezbollah fighters. (AFP)
Smoke billows from a site targeted by Lebanon's Hezbollah, along the northern Israeli border with Lebanon on July 25, 2024, amid ongoing cross-border clashes between Israeli troops and Hezbollah fighters. (AFP)

The United States is deferring the removal of certain Lebanese citizens from the country, President Joe Biden said on Friday, citing humanitarian conditions in southern Lebanon amid tensions between Israel and Hezbollah.

The deferred designation, which lasts 18 months, allows Lebanese citizens to remain in the country with the right to work, according to a memorandum Biden sent to the Department of Homeland Security.

"Humanitarian conditions in southern Lebanon have significantly deteriorated due to tensions between Hezbollah and Israel," Biden said in the memo.

"While I remain focused on de-escalating the situation and improving humanitarian conditions, many civilians remain in danger; therefore, I am directing the deferral of removal of certain Lebanese nationals who are present in the United States."

Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah have been trading fire since Hezbollah announced a "support front" with Palestinians shortly after its ally Hamas attacked southern Israeli border communities on Oct. 7, triggering Israel's military assault in Gaza.

The fighting in Lebanon has killed more than 100 civilians and more than 300 Hezbollah fighters, according to a Reuters tally, and led to levels of destruction in Lebanese border towns and villages not seen since the 2006 Israel-Lebanon war.

On the Israeli side, 10 Israeli civilians, a foreign agricultural worker and 20 Israeli soldiers have been killed. Tens of thousands have been evacuated from both sides of the border.