Palestinian factions call for “Ribat” A Palestinian young man was killed today, Saturday, by bullets from the Israeli occupation forces in the Bab al-Silsilah area near Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied Jerusalem, as the soldiers continued to attack worshipers inside the mosque. The Palestinian Presidency has warned of an explosive situation, while calling on various Palestinian movements and factions to travel to Al-Aqsa Mosque and stay in there.
The occupation police in Jerusalem issued a statement saying that “the police officers shot a suspect at Bab al-Silsila area in the Old City of Jerusalem, when he tried to snatch a weapon from a police officer.”
It added that the suspect was “neutralized” immediately, without any injuries among the police, who sent reinforced forces to the Old City and mobilized them at the gates of Al-Aqsa Mosque, which were closed to worshipers.
Al-Jazeera Net correspondent Muhammad Watad said that the family of the martyr Muhammad al-Osaibi (26 years old) questioned the Israeli version and accused the occupation police of executing him. Eyewitnesses also confirmed that the young man did not try to kidnap any weapon from the police officers, as he fought with them while trying to defend and protect a Palestinian girl. This was after the occupation police officers beat the girl and took her out of Al-Aqsa Square from the side of Bab Al-Silsilah.
The occupation forces assaulted the worshipers and those in retreat inside Al-Aqsa Mosque and the owners of shops near it, especially in the Qataneen Market area, where they destroyed it. They also assaulted young men who were near the al-Silsila Gate, including one of Al-Aqsa Mosque guards.
On Friday night, the occupation police closed the doors of Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem, and prevented Palestinians from entering it.
For his part, Fatah spokesman Munther al-Hayek called on all Palestinians who can to go to Al-Aqsa Mosque and stationed there to protect it.
In turn, Hamas spokesman Hazem Qassem said that the occupation’s shooting of a Palestinian youth at one of the gates of Al-Aqsa Mosque is part of the religious war waged by the occupation against the Palestinian people, and that the occupation is trying to take revenge on the people of Jerusalem after describing it as a massive advance of the Palestinian masses in the courtyards of Al-Aqsa Mosque. Yesterday during Friday prayers.
For its part, the Islamic Jihad Movement called on the Palestinians to continue their pilgrimage to Al-Aqsa and “Ribat”, and to perform i’tikaf in its chapels, domes and squares. The movement’s spokesman, Tariq Salmi, said, “The large crowds of citizens in the blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque indicate the status of Al-Aqsa and the Muslims’ attachment to it, as it is our mosque, the Israa’ place of our Prophet, and the place of our hearts.”
