RAMALLAH: Tensions were rising in the Palestinian territories on Wednesday after Israeli police stormed Al-Aqsa Mosque at dawn, severely beating and arresting dozens of worshippers.
Officers reportedly injured about 50 people, destroyed Al-Aqsa Medical Clinic, prevented ambulances from reaching the location to help the injured, and smashed windows and doors at the mosque.
The Palestinian Red Crescent said its teams in Jerusalem dealt with 12 injuries during clashes near the mosque and outside the city walls. Three people were taken to hospital, and 25 people with injuries were arrested and later freed from Israeli detention centers.
Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem is the third-holiest site in Islam, after the Grand Mosque in Makkah and the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah. Taraweeh prayers are offered there by large numbers of people during Ramadan. However, they face interference from the Israeli military and police.
In another provocative move, there have been calls by Jewish extremist groups to slaughter goats at the compound as part of the Passover feast that began on Wednesday evening. As a result, many Muslim worshippers remained in the mosque on Tuesday night to pray and to prevent the settlers from following through with their plans.
Israeli authorities decided to completely close the Palestinian Territories until Saturday midnight due to the Passover holiday, so Muslim worshippers remained at the mosque because they would have been unable to return to protect it or pray during those days.
On Wednesday, Israeli police arrested two settlers who intended to enter the mosque’s courtyards to offer a sacrifice for Passover.
Israeli police said they removed more than 350 people from the mosque. They added that they had arrested masked individuals, stone-throwers and individuals suspected of desecrating the mosque.
“We will continue to act against anyone who attempts to violate public order,” the police said.
Jordan, which has custodianship over Al-Aqsa in Jerusalem, called on Israeli authorities to immediately remove the police and special forces from the holy site.
Sinan Al-Majali, the spokesperson for Jordan’s Foreign Ministry, described the crackdown as a “flagrant violation” and urged Israel to abide by international humanitarian law and refrain from all measures aimed at changing the historical status quo.
He warned of the potential consequences of the dangerous escalation and held Israel responsible for the safety of the mosque and worshippers.
The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the Kingdom condemned this “blatant intrusion,” and expressed its “categorical rejection of these practices that undermine peace efforts and contradict international principles and norms in respect of religious sanctities.”
It reaffirmed the Kingdom’s firm stance on supporting all efforts to end the occupation and reach a just and comprehensive solution to the Palestinian issue.
The Islamic Awqaf Department in Jerusalem, which belongs to Jordan, said Israeli police deliberately smashed windows and doors at the mosque in a blatant violation of the site’s sanctity, and appealed to Jordan’s King Abdullah to ensure that such attacks and incursions end.
Ismail Haniyeh, head of the Hamas political bureau, said that what was happening at the mosque was an “unprecedented crime” that will have consequences.
The Jewish holidays this month coincide with Ramadan, which has caused tensions to rise as thousands of Muslims flock to Al-Aqsa where they face harassment, while Israeli police forces allow dozens of settlers to enter the compound and perform their rituals.
An added complication this time, however, is the presence of extreme right-wing ministers in the recently formed Israeli government, including Itamar Ben-Gvir, the minister of national security, who declared a few days ago that Al-Aqsa Mosque belonged to Jews, not Muslims.
Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh said what is happening in Jerusalem is a “major crime against the worshippers,” and a process of “Judaization” of Al-Aqsa Mosque is taking place by preventing Muslims from praying in it.
He added that praying at the mosque does not need “permission from the occupation, but rather it is our right.” He said the Israelis have failed to learn from history, given that when they stormed Al-Aqsa in the past it sparked a revolution against the occupation.
The Palestinian presidency said that crossing red lines at holy places would lead to a major escalation.
Kuwait, Iran, Egypt, the Arab League, Qatar, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and Turkiye also condemned Israel’s crackdown.
Ahmad Ghuneim, a prominent Fatah leader from East Jerusalem, told Arab News that he believes the aim of the brutal Israeli actions is to remove Muslim worshippers so that they cannot confront Israeli settlers who enter Al-Aqsa during the Jewish Passover.
Tor Wennesland, the UN’s special coordinator for the Middle East peace process, said he was appalled by the images of violence inside the mosque.
“I am disturbed by the apparent beating of Palestinians by Israeli security forces and a large number of arrests,” he added.
“The historical status quo of the holy sites must be upheld, in line with the special role of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. The role of the Waqf is vital and it must be empowered to fulfill its crucial duties.”
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Israeli police crackdown at Al-Aqsa raises tensions
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Israeli police crackdown at Al-Aqsa raises tensions
- Officers stormed the mosque at dawn, beat and arrested dozens of worshippers, damaged a medical clinic, and blocked ambulances
- There have been calls by Jewish extremist groups to slaughter goats at the compound as part of the Passover feast that began on Wednesday evening
Iraq negotiates new coalition under US pressure
BAGHDAD: More than a month after Iraq’s parliamentary elections, the country’s top leaders remain locked in talks to form a government while facing pressure from Washington to exclude Tehran-backed armed groups.
Amid seismic changes in the Middle East, where new alliances are forming and old powers waning, Iraqi leaders face a daunting task: navigating relations with US-blacklisted pro-Iranian factions.
- What does the US want? -
The US has held significant sway over Iraqi politics since leading the 2003 invasion that ousted long-time ruler Saddam Hussein.
But another spectre also haunts Iraq’s halls of power: Washington’s arch-foe, Iran.
Iraq has long been caught between the two, with successive governments negotiating a delicate balance.
Now, after November’s election, Washington has demanded the eventual government must exclude Iran-backed armed groups and instead move to dismantle them, Iraqi officials and diplomats told AFP.
A State Department spokesperson, speaking on condition of anonymity, said: “Iraqi leaders well know what is and is not compatible with a strong US-Iraq partnership.”
Washington, the spokesperson said, “will continue to speak plainly to the urgency of dismantling Iran-backed militias.”
But some of these groups have increased their presence in the new chamber and have joined the Coordination Framework, an alliance of Shiite parties with varying ties to Iran and which holds the majority.
For weeks, the Coordination Framework has been embroiled in talks to nominate the next prime minister.
“The US has put conditions that armed factions should not be part of the new government,” a senior Iraqi official said. The factions must disarm and “sever ties with Iran’s Revolutionary Guard,” he added.
In recent tweets, the US special envoy to Iraq, Mark Savaya said that Iraqi leaders are at a “crossroads.”
Their decision “will send a clear and unmistakable signal to the United States... that Iraq is ready to claim its rightful place as a stable and respected nation in the new Middle East.
“The alternative is equally clear: economic deterioration, political confusion, and international isolation,” Savaya said.
- Which armed groups? -
The US has blacklisted as “terrorist organizations” several armed groups from within the Hashed Al-Shaabi, a former paramilitary alliance now integrated into the armed forces.
They are also part of the Iran-backed so-called “axis of resistance” and have called for the withdrawal of US troops — deployed in Iraq as part of an anti-jihadist coalition — and launched attacks against them.
Most of these groups hold seats in parliament and have seen their political and financial clout increase.
The Asaib Ahl Al-Haq faction, led by Qais Al-Khazali, who is a key figure in the Coordination Framework, won 27 seats in the latest election, making it harder to exclude it from the government.
A potential compromise is to deny it a key portfolio, as in the current government.
“The US has turned a blind eye before, so they might after all engage with the government as a whole but not with ministries held by armed groups,” a former Iraqi official said.
Other blacklisted groups are:
+ Kataeb Hezbollah, one of the most powerful armed groups, supports a parliamentary bloc (six seats).
+ Kataeb Sayyid Al-Shuhada, Kataeb Imam Ali and Harakat Ansar Allah Al-Awfiya.
+ The Al-Nujaba movement is the only group that has steered clear of elections.
- What is at stake? -
Iraq has its economic growth to worry about.
After decades of turmoil, it has only begun to regain a sense of normalcy in recent years.
Washington has already imposed sanctions on several Iraqi entities and banks, accusing them of helping Tehran evade sanctions.
But Iraqi leaders hope for greater foreign investments and support partnerships with US companies.
The most striking endorsement came from Khazali, an opponent of the US military presence who now argues that it would be in Baghdad’s interest for major US companies to invest.
Since the Israel’s war with Hamas in Gaza began in October 2023, Iraq has remained relatively unscathed by the turmoil engulfing the Middle East.
Iraqi armed groups did launch attacks on US troops and largely unsuccessful ones on Israel. Washington responded with heavy strikes, and the attacks have long-since halted.
Iraq remained the only close regional ally of Iran to stay out of Israel’s crosshairs.
So far, the US has acted as a buffer, helping to prevent an Israeli attack, but Iraqis have been warned of strikes against the armed groups, multiple sources said.
But as the presence of American forces dwindles, fears are growing.
Amid seismic changes in the Middle East, where new alliances are forming and old powers waning, Iraqi leaders face a daunting task: navigating relations with US-blacklisted pro-Iranian factions.
- What does the US want? -
The US has held significant sway over Iraqi politics since leading the 2003 invasion that ousted long-time ruler Saddam Hussein.
But another spectre also haunts Iraq’s halls of power: Washington’s arch-foe, Iran.
Iraq has long been caught between the two, with successive governments negotiating a delicate balance.
Now, after November’s election, Washington has demanded the eventual government must exclude Iran-backed armed groups and instead move to dismantle them, Iraqi officials and diplomats told AFP.
A State Department spokesperson, speaking on condition of anonymity, said: “Iraqi leaders well know what is and is not compatible with a strong US-Iraq partnership.”
Washington, the spokesperson said, “will continue to speak plainly to the urgency of dismantling Iran-backed militias.”
But some of these groups have increased their presence in the new chamber and have joined the Coordination Framework, an alliance of Shiite parties with varying ties to Iran and which holds the majority.
For weeks, the Coordination Framework has been embroiled in talks to nominate the next prime minister.
“The US has put conditions that armed factions should not be part of the new government,” a senior Iraqi official said. The factions must disarm and “sever ties with Iran’s Revolutionary Guard,” he added.
In recent tweets, the US special envoy to Iraq, Mark Savaya said that Iraqi leaders are at a “crossroads.”
Their decision “will send a clear and unmistakable signal to the United States... that Iraq is ready to claim its rightful place as a stable and respected nation in the new Middle East.
“The alternative is equally clear: economic deterioration, political confusion, and international isolation,” Savaya said.
- Which armed groups? -
The US has blacklisted as “terrorist organizations” several armed groups from within the Hashed Al-Shaabi, a former paramilitary alliance now integrated into the armed forces.
They are also part of the Iran-backed so-called “axis of resistance” and have called for the withdrawal of US troops — deployed in Iraq as part of an anti-jihadist coalition — and launched attacks against them.
Most of these groups hold seats in parliament and have seen their political and financial clout increase.
The Asaib Ahl Al-Haq faction, led by Qais Al-Khazali, who is a key figure in the Coordination Framework, won 27 seats in the latest election, making it harder to exclude it from the government.
A potential compromise is to deny it a key portfolio, as in the current government.
“The US has turned a blind eye before, so they might after all engage with the government as a whole but not with ministries held by armed groups,” a former Iraqi official said.
Other blacklisted groups are:
+ Kataeb Hezbollah, one of the most powerful armed groups, supports a parliamentary bloc (six seats).
+ Kataeb Sayyid Al-Shuhada, Kataeb Imam Ali and Harakat Ansar Allah Al-Awfiya.
+ The Al-Nujaba movement is the only group that has steered clear of elections.
- What is at stake? -
Iraq has its economic growth to worry about.
After decades of turmoil, it has only begun to regain a sense of normalcy in recent years.
Washington has already imposed sanctions on several Iraqi entities and banks, accusing them of helping Tehran evade sanctions.
But Iraqi leaders hope for greater foreign investments and support partnerships with US companies.
The most striking endorsement came from Khazali, an opponent of the US military presence who now argues that it would be in Baghdad’s interest for major US companies to invest.
Since the Israel’s war with Hamas in Gaza began in October 2023, Iraq has remained relatively unscathed by the turmoil engulfing the Middle East.
Iraqi armed groups did launch attacks on US troops and largely unsuccessful ones on Israel. Washington responded with heavy strikes, and the attacks have long-since halted.
Iraq remained the only close regional ally of Iran to stay out of Israel’s crosshairs.
So far, the US has acted as a buffer, helping to prevent an Israeli attack, but Iraqis have been warned of strikes against the armed groups, multiple sources said.
But as the presence of American forces dwindles, fears are growing.
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