Sana'a - Saba:
The frequency of Zionist threats to demolish mosques in the occupied West Bank and Gaza Strip by the authorities of the Zionist enemy has increased since October 7, 2023. These actions have taken on a political character, motivated by revenge.
Over the past year, the number of mosques threatened with demolition has grown, especially with the assumption of the Ministry of Internal Security and responsibility for monitoring Palestinian construction in Occupied al-Qus by the extremist minister Itamar Ben Gvir. These responsibilities, which were previously managed by the occupation municipality, are now under his control.
The Palestinian Ministry of Awqaf and Religious Affairs revealed in its Special Report on the enemy's violations of Islamic and Christian holy sites in the West Bank and Gaza Strip for the year 2024 that the enemy’s army destroyed approximately 1,000 mosques in the Gaza Strip. Settlers also stormed al-Aqsa Mosque more than 250 times, while the call to prayer (Adhan) at the Ibrahimi Mosque was prevented over 670 times last year.
The ministry's report also stated that since the beginning of last year, the Zionist enemy has completely destroyed 815 mosques, partially destroyed 151 mosques, and completely destroyed 19 cemeteries. These cemeteries were also violated, with attacks, digging up graves, and exhuming bodies. Additionally, three churches in Gaza City were targeted and destroyed.
The report added that the Zionist enemy attacked the blessed al-Aqsa Mosque by allowing settler gangs to break into it, desecrating its courtyards and terraces with 256 intrusions over the past year. During these incursions, they performed unprecedented Talmudic rituals, including the epic prostration, which began on August 13, 2024, and blowing the trumpet.
It e explained that the Talmudic rituals have become practiced at specific places and times to consecrate the temporal and spatial division of al-Aqsa, under the supervision and protection of the occupation police. The occupation police permanently prevent the guards of al-Aqsa Mosque, affiliated with the Department of Endowments in al-Quds, from performing their duties during these intrusions.
The Ministry of Awqaf pointed out in its report that the so-called "Temple groups" allegedly facilitated Hebrew New Year celebrations for settlers inside al-Aqsa Mosque during the past year. The "Temple Mount activists" also incited the burning of al-Aqsa Mosque by publishing a video clip showing the mosque burning, with the comment: "Soon, these days."
The report stated that the terrorist Ben Gvir stormed al-Aqsa, with the support of his far-right government, seven times since he took office, including four times since the start of the war on Gaza. He also issued several far-right statements threatening to establish a synagogue within al-Aqsa Mosque, a reference to controlling it. Additionally, he worked to intensify the Jewish presence at al-Aqsa through government support and providing it with legitimate cover.
It was noted that 2,567 settlers broke into the blessed al-Aqsa Mosque during the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah, during which many violations occurred. Among the most prominent violations was the break-in by Ben Gvir and Rabbi Yisrael Shalita, who performed Talmudic rituals, including dancing, singing, and the epic prostration.
Regarding the Ibrahimi Mosque, the enemy forces have violated it daily. They have prevented the adhan (call to prayer) from being raised there, which has occurred approximately 674 times since the beginning of the year. Additionally, they have harassed Muslims by preventing them from entering and closing the mosque ten times during the same period.
It is noteworthy that the number of worshippers at the Ibrahimi Mosque in 2024 amounted to only 236,530, which is lower than expected due to the strict measures imposed by the enemy. These measures included the closure of the mosque's entrances since October 7, 2023, which hindered the arrival of large numbers of worshippers.
The Ibrahimi Mosque was stormed by 3,381 Zionist soldiers during the year, in a flagrant violation of the sanctity of the religious site and to provoke the feelings of Muslims.
Regarding other places of worship and mosques, the Ministry of Awqaf reported that the Zionist enemy attacked 20 mosques in various areas of the West Bank, with a clear focus on the governorates of Tulkarm and Jenin. The attacks included partially destroying a number of facilities or desecrating them by writing on them and mocking Islamic rituals.
In its report, the Awqaf Ministry also documented several attacks on holy places and Christian worshippers. Extremist Jewish religious groups assaulted and spat on Christian pilgrims in the occupied city of al-Quds, specifically in the area of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. They also harassed Christians during religious holidays and denied them access to the Nativity and Resurrection churches.
The Ministry of Awqaf and Religious Affairs called on the international community to pressure the occupation forces to stop these violations, which have increased significantly, especially amid the genocidal war on the Gaza Strip.
The deliberate attacks on Palestinian mosques have received support from a large segment of Zionists, who claim that such actions are part of targeting "terrorism, terrorists, and their ideology" and a response to "Jewish teachings and divine commandments," according to them.
Despite this Zionist support for the destruction of mosques and the violation of their sanctity, dissenting voices within the Zionist community have emerged, arguing that "the Chosen People should not do this." These voices emphasize the importance of "preserving cultural heritage, especially historical mosques."
In an effort to obliterate Palestinian cultural and religious identity, the Zionist enemy army destroyed approximately 206 archaeological and heritage sites in the Gaza Strip, out of a total of 325 sites, as part of its war of extermination. This was confirmed by Ismail al-Thawabit, Director General of the Media Office in the Gaza Strip. He stated that these attacks on historical sites are part of the enemy's attempts to erase Palestinian identity, while emphasizing the Palestinian people's steadfast adherence to their heritage and history.
It is noteworthy that the Zionist enemy did not leave any archaeological or historical landmark intact during its large-scale military operation in the northern Gaza Strip, specifically in the Jabalia refugee camp and the city of Beit Lahia.
The enemy army has been systematically working to destroy residential buildings and ancient historical monuments, including cemeteries, mosques, and churches—many of which date back thousands of years to eras that once inhabited Palestine. These actions are deliberate and aimed at erasing the ancient history of Palestine and destroying any evidence that affirms the Palestinians' right to the land.
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