Israeli Minister Ben-Gvir Visits Al-Aqsa Mosque Compound, Drawing Condemnation from Qatar

Qatar denounced Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir’s storming of the Al-Aqsa Mosque complex on Thursday. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned the action as an unacceptable provocation to the sentiments of millions of Muslims around the world. It described the move as a blatant violation of international law and international humanitarian law.

Qatar warned that Ben-Gvir’s action represented a dangerous attempt to alter the historical and legal status quo in occupied Jerusalem. The ministry stated that unilateral measures in Jerusalem are null and void under international law. It also denounced provocative actions by Israeli settlers, including restricting access to the Al-Aqsa Mosque.

The ministry called on the international community to compel Israel to stop its ongoing violations against Palestinians and to comply with international resolutions. @AJEnglish reported that the Qatar condemnation was issued on Thursday via the Qatar News Agency. In southern Lebanon, an Israeli strike hit a motorcycle in the town of al-Majadel.

Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency said there was no immediate report on casualties from the strike. Israel’s military has intensified targeted strikes on cars and motorcycles in Lebanon’s south and near Beirut in recent days. Israel’s air force intercepted a suspicious aerial target in the airspace where its military is operating in southern Lebanon.

The interception occurred as Israeli operations continued in the area. The UAE will accelerate construction of its new oil pipeline through Fujairah. Crown Prince Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan chaired a meeting of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company’s executive committee to discuss updates on the pipeline.