Israeli Minister Threatens to Seize Al-Aqsa: Strong Reaction from Muslim World

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz has threatened to seize the third holiest site for Muslims, Al-Aqsa Mosque, and the entire West Bank. He said that Israel's 'total control' in Jerusalem will be further strengthened.

In a post on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter) on Sunday (August 3), Katz said, "Two thousand years after the destruction of the Second Temple on the occasion of Tisha B'Av, the Western Wall and the Temple Mount (Al-Aqsa) are once again under full Israeli control."

He also wrote, "The anti-Israelis are taking various measures and protesting against us. But we will further strengthen our control in Jerusalem, the Western Wall and Al-Aqsa."

In the post, he said he went to the Western Wall and prayed for the release of the hostages by the Israeli army and the defeat of Hamas.

Earlier that morning, Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben Givi entered the Al-Aqsa compound and participated in prayers. About 1,050 Jews were present with him, Reuters reported.

Several Muslim countries, including Saudi Arabia, strongly protested Itamar Ben Givi's provocative behavior. The Saudi Foreign Ministry said in a statement,

"The Saudi government strongly condemns the repeated provocative behavior of officials of the Israeli occupation authority against the Al-Aqsa Mosque. Such behavior further intensifies the conflict in the region."

It is worth noting that the Jordanian Waqf Foundation has been managing the Al-Aqsa compound for decades. According to the agreement, Jews are prohibited from praying there, although they can enter it.

Meanwhile, such provocative actions by Israel have sparked renewed tensions across the Muslim world. Analysts say such moves around the Al-Aqsa Mosque could further escalate conflicts in the Middle East.

Sources: Reuters, Times of Israel