Libya urges international community to protect Palestinians

The Libyan foreign ministry has condemned the assault on Al-Aqsa Mosque and Palestinian worshippers by Israeli occupation forces, Anadolu has reported. It called on the international community to assume its legal responsibility to ensure that the Palestinian people are protected.

“The State of Libya condemns the [Israeli] occupation forces’ assault on the squares of Al-Aqsa Mosque and the attack on unarmed Palestinian worshippers while performing their prayers during the blessed month of Ramadan,” said the ministry. “Libya also condemns the practices of the occupation authorities related to the forced displacement of Palestinian families from the holy city of Jerusalem.

This was a reference to the planned eviction of Palestinians from their family homes in the Sheikh Jarrah neighbourhood of the city. ”Such practices are a blatant violation of international and humanitarian law, and risk aggravating the situation with potentially dangerous results that threaten the lives of Palestinian civilians and undermine the possibility of a just and comprehensive peace in the region.”

READ: 100 Palestinians injured after Israel fired at worshippers at Al-Aqsa Mosque

The ministry in Tripoli added that holy places of Muslims and Christians in the occupied Palestine territories must be protected.

Since the beginning of Ramadan, the city of Jerusalem has witnessed attacks by Israeli police and settlers against Palestinians, particularly at the Damascus Gate on the edge of the occupied Old City, and Sheikh Jarrah neighbourhood.

On Friday night, Israeli attacks on worshippers inside Al-Aqsa Mosque resulted in 205 people being wounded. Most of the victims were targeted in the face, eyes, and chest by police officers firing rubber-coated metal bullets, reported the Palestine Red Crescent Society.