Deir al-Balah, Aug 3: A far-right Israeli minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir, visited and prayed at Jerusalem’s most sensitive holy site, the Temple Mount, on Sunday, triggering regional condemnation and fears that the provocative move could further escalate tensions. The visit came as hospitals in Gaza reported that 27 more Palestinians seeking food aid were killed by Israeli fire. With Israel already facing global criticism over famine-like conditions in the besieged strip, the visit threatened to further set back efforts by international mediators to halt Israel’s nearly two-year military offensive in the Gaza Strip.
The area, which Jews call the Temple Mount, is the holiest site in Judaism and was home to the ancient biblical temples. Muslims call the site the Noble Sanctuary. Today, it is home to the Al Aqsa Mosque, the third-holiest site in Islam. Visits are considered a provocation across the Muslim world, and openly praying violates a longstanding status quo at the combustible site. Under the status quo, Jews have been allowed to tour the site but are barred from praying, with Israeli police and troops providing security. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said after Ben-Gvir’s visit that Israel would not change the norms governing the holy site.
Ben-Gvir made the stop following Hamas’ release of videos showing two emaciated Israeli hostages. The videos caused in uproar in Israel and raised pressure on the government to reach a deal to bring home the remaining hostages who were captured on Oct 7, 2023, in the attack that triggered the war. During his visit to the hilltop compound, Ben-Gvir called for Israel to annex the Gaza Strip and encourage Palestinians to leave, reviving rhetoric that has complicated negotiations to end the war.
Videos of hungry and suffering Israeli hostages have triggered outrage across the political spectrum in Israel. Tens of thousands rallied in Tel Aviv on Saturday urging Israel and the United States to urgently pursue their release after suspending ceasefire talks. Right-wing politicians who have opposed deals with Hamas said the footage reinforced their conviction that the militant group must be obliterated once and for all.
Deadly chaos grips food distribution points, with Palestinians reporting more deadly violence at aid sites and the Palestinian Red Crescent Society saying a staff member had been killed when Israeli forces shelled its office with artillery. Around 90,000 protesters in Australia marched across the Sydney Harbour Bridge, turning the city landmark into a symbol of opposition to Israel’s military campaign in Gaza.
Hospital officials said Israeli forces killed at least 27 Palestinians seeking food on Sunday in the besieged territory, where witnesses described facing gunfire as hungry crowds surged toward aid sites and the malnutrition-related death toll also rose. Desperation has gripped the Palestinian territory of more than 2 million, which experts warn is facing “a worst-case scenario of famine” because of Israel’s blockade and nearly two-year offensive. (IANS)
