Türkiye slams storming of Al-Aqsa Mosque by Israeli extremist groups

Türkiye has strongly condemned the storming ofthe occupied EastJerusalem’s Al-Aqsa Mosque by extremist Israeli groups under the protection of Israeli occupation forces, calling on the international community to take deterrent measures against Israel.In a statement, the Turkish foreign ministry accused the government of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of seeking to further inflame regional tensions and, through violations and provocations against Muslim holy sites, to subvert efforts to promote peace and stability."It is clear that the Netanyahu government aims to further fuel tensions in the region and undermine efforts for peace and stability through its violations and provocations targeting Muslim holy sites," said the ministry.Ankara also reiterated its call on the international community to take deterrent measures against Israeli practices that violate the historical and legal status of Al-Aqsa Mosque.Al-Aqsa Mosque is the world's third-holiest site for Muslims.Since 2003, Israel has unilaterally allowed the illegal settlers to enter the mosque daily during two periods: morning and afternoon prayers.Palestinians say Israel is intensifying efforts to Judaise East Jerusalem, including Al-Aqsa Mosque, and erase its Arab and Islamic identity.The Palestinians regard occupied East Jerusalem as the capital of their future state, based on international resolutions that do not recognise Israel’s occupation of the city in 1967 or its annexation in 1980.