Egypt condemns hundreds of settlers breaching Al-Aqsa Mosque

Cairo, Jan 10 (KUNA) -- Egypt condemned the incursion of hundreds of Israeli settlers into the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, along with the provocative acts and religious rituals performed within its courtyards, which constitute a violation of the historical and legal status quo at the site. In a statement issued by its Foreign Ministry on Thursday, Egypt warned of the dangers of continuing and intensifying such incursions, set against a broader context of rejected settlement activities and statements. It emphasized that these practices aim to alter the status quo and impose a new reality within the Al-Haram Al-Qudsi Al-Sharif (the Noble Sanctuary). Egypt stressed the necessity of preserving the historical and legal status of holy sites in Jerusalem and safeguarding the religious stature of Al-Aqsa Mosque, affirming that maintaining existing arrangements regarding holy sites is a fundamental pillar for preventing the escalation of tensions. In this context, Egypt warned that the recurrence of such violations, which are part of a systematic policy evading all forms of deterrence or accountability, exacerbates tensions and threatens security and stability in the occupied Palestinian territories and the region as a whole. The Jerusalem Municipality had stated that 1,895 settlers entered the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound today, marking the sixth day of the Jewish holidays, amid tightened Israeli military measures against Palestinians. (End) A.S.M. / M.A.A.