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Hamas calls on Palestinians to defend Al-Aqsa after an Israeli Knesset member proposed building a "third temple" on the site of a mosque complex in occupied Al-Quds.
The Palestinian resistance movement Hamas has called on Palestinians to gather at the Al-Aqsa Mosque from today's Friday prayers until Monday to defend Al-Aqsa and thwart the enemy's plan.
The movement added that it calls for "abandoning the plans of the Zionist enemy and his extremist settler gangs and the so-called temple group to desecrate the courtyards of Al-Aqsa and carry out sacrificial rituals there this coming Sunday and Monday."
Hamas also praised the civilian population in the occupied West Bank, the occupied Palestinian territories in 1948, and the Palestinians remaining in and around Al-Quds, who "have proven to be the first line of defense [for Al-Aqsa Mosque]."
The movement also praised the Palestinians' commitment to the path of struggle and sacrifice and expressed its support for their continued efforts to protect and defend Al-Quds and Al-Aqsa, firmly opposing the efforts of the oppressive occupation government and its perpetrators of war crimes, especially Itamar Ben-Gvir.
Hamas called on nations and free peoples around the world to extend all forms of solidarity and support to Al-Quds, Al-Aqsa and Gaza and to support the legitimate struggle of the Palestinian people until aggression is stopped, rights are achieved and the Palestinian land and sanctuaries are liberated.
As reported by Anadolu Agency, a member of the Israeli parliament representing the far right proposed on Thursday the construction of a "third temple" that would replace the Al-Aqsa mosque complex in occupied Al-Quds.
Yitzhak Pindrus, a member of the extremist United Torah Judaism Party, expressed his desire for all Jews to gather at al-Quds next Monday to offer the Passover sacrifice during a television interview.
"We hope that the Third Temple will be built there soon and we will be able to eat Paschal offerings there," he emphasized.
Passover, an important Jewish holiday commemorating the Israelites' exodus from Egypt during the time of the prophet Moses, has religious significance in the Jewish calendar. This year it starts on the evening of April 22 and lasts until April 30.
Al-Aqsa is revered as one of the holiest sites for Muslims around the world. On the other hand, Jews call the area "Temple Mount", citing its historical significance as the location of two ancient Jewish temples.
The Knesset member's appeal is the latest in a series of provocative statements and actions by Israeli officials regarding the Islamic holy site.
In a similar context, Israeli media reported on Wednesday that Israeli Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir had included changes to the status quo in the area in his ministry's formal action plans. His plan aims to change the status quo at the mosque by giving Israeli control of the site and allowing Jewish worshipers access, Israeli public broadcaster KAN reported.
People of non-Muslim faith can enter the Al-Aqsa Mosque under an agreement dating back to Ottoman times. However, they are strictly prohibited from engaging in any form of worship or prayer on the premises. This multi-year agreement aims to maintain the sanctity of the site for Muslims, who consider it one of the holiest places in Islam.
Despite this agreement, Israeli occupation authorities have allowed Israeli settlers to raid the mosque complex on numerous occasions since 2003, drawing strong condemnation from Palestinians.
Al-Aqsa Mosque is of great religious and historical importance, especially since it has been at the center of Israeli-Palestinian fighting since the 1967 Arab-Israeli War, when "Israel" occupied eastern al-Quds. This occupation was further entrenched in 1980 when "Israel" occupied an entire Palestinian city, a move that was never recognized by the international community.
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