MANAMA: Bahrain and Egypt strongly condemned Israel’s ban on Friday prayers at Al-Aqsa Mosque.
Bahrain’s Foreign Ministry said the move is part of ongoing Israeli attempts to change the status quo in Jerusalem and the mosque.
The ministry expressed concern about the violence that took place at the mosque’s courtyard on Friday, stressing the need to reopen Al-Aqsa to worshipers immediately.
Bahrain called for restraint from all sides and adherence to international agreements and treaties, particularly the Fourth Geneva Convention.
The ministry called on the international community to block all attempts to change the legal and historical conditions in Jerusalem.
Referring to Friday’s violence at Al-Aqsa, Egypt’s Foreign Ministry spokesman warned against the serious repercussions of such incidents, and of actions that undermine regional and international efforts to resume Israeli-Palestinian talks and revive the peace process.
Ahmed Abu Zeid called on all parties to exercise restraint and avoid taking any actions that hinder freedom to practice religious rites at Al-Aqsa.
Bahrain, Egypt slam Israeli ban on Al-Aqsa Friday prayer
Bahrain, Egypt slam Israeli ban on Al-Aqsa Friday prayer
Iran missile barrage sparks explosions over Tel Aviv
- Two near-simultaneous waves of explosions reverberating across the city
- Israel’s emergency services confirms plenty of damage but said there were no casualties
TEL AVIV: The latest Iranian missile barrage sparked a wave of explosions across Tel Aviv as firefighters worked to contain a blaze at a residential building near Israel’s commercial hub on Friday.
The blasts came after Israel expanded its campaign against Hezbollah, vowing retribution against the Tehran-backed militant group for joining the conflict following the killing on Saturday of Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Iran’s state broadcaster said Tehran had fired missiles “against targets in the heart of Tel Aviv,” after Israel’s military said it was working to intercept incoming Iranian fire late Thursday.
AFP journalists in Tel Aviv heard two near-simultaneous waves of explosions reverberating across the city.
Rocket trails also lit up the sky in Netanya, a city north of Tel Aviv on Israel’s Mediterranean coast.
After the barrage, Israel’s emergency services, the Magen David Adom (MDA), said its teams had visited several reported impact sites but that there were no casualties.
Israeli police said it was “currently handling scenes involving fallen projectiles in central Israel,” adding that there was “damage” but no injuries.
A projectile hit a building on the outskirts of Tel Aviv, forcing residents to evacuate.
At another residential site near Israel’s economic hub, firefighters worked to put out a blaze caused by falling debris after an Iranian rocket fire was intercepted.
Israel’s Home Front Command issues several rocket fire warnings early Friday for communities near the Lebanon border.
