Egypt condemns Israeli storming of Aqsa Mosque

Egypt condemned on Sunday the storming of Israeli forces to Al Aqsa Mosque after dawn and their attack of Palestinian civilians with sound bombs and tear gas canisters.

In a statement, the Foreign Ministry said this is unacceptable escalation of Israel against holy places in the Palestinian territories, warning that continuing such practices would trigger off outrage and fuel feelings in the Arab and Islamic nation.

Such acts would also undermine efforts aiming at resuming Palestinian-Israeli negotiations, it said.

Egypt urged the Israeli authorities to avoid the brinkmanship policy and not to cross the red lines as regards respecting the holy places, the statement said.

The ministry stressed that serious negotiations that reflect real political will is the only way to reach a just and comprehensive settlement of the Palestinian issue in accordance with the international legitimacy resolutions.

Israeli police clashed with Palestinian youths after entering Al Aqsa mosque complex in East Jerusalem at dawn today.

They used tear gas, rubber bullets and stun grenades.

The holy compound has been the source of religious and political tension between Israel and the Palestinians over the past few months promoted by almost daily Israeli storming of the holy place.

Source: MENA