PM Shehbaz condemns Al-Aqsa raid, calls for protection of Palestinian lives

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday while expressing solidarity with the people of Palestine, condemned the raid on the Al-Aqsa mosque and the escalation of violence by the Israeli forces.

The prime minister in a tweet also stressed upon the international community to protect innocent Palestinian lives and uphold the international law and the UN Charter.

“Condemnable raid on Al-Aqsa Mosque & escalation of violence by Israel in gross violation of HR & humanitarian laws. We stand in solidarity with the Palestinians. Time for the international community to protect innocent Palestinian lives, and uphold international law & UN Charter,” he posted on his Twitter handle.

Condemnable raid on Al-Aqsa Mosque & escalation of violence by Israel in gross violation of HR & humanitarian laws. We stand in solidarity with the Palestinians. Time for international community to protect innocent Palestinian lives, and uphold international law & UN Charter.

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— Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) April 16, 2022

Note that more than 150 people were injured in clashes between Palestinian demonstrators and Israeli police in Jerusalem’s Al-Aqsa mosque compound on Friday, the first clash at the flashpoint holy site since Ramadan began.

Read more: Fear of potential war after Al-Aqsa Mosque raid

Crowds hurled stones at the Western Wall, which is considered the holiest site for Jews to pray.

Palestinians stoned Israeli forces, who responded with rubber-coated bullets and stun grenades.

On the scene, “dozens” of people were treated, according to the Palestinian Red Crescent. At least three officers were hurt, police said.

The Palestinian Prisoner’s Club reported 400 arrests. The clashes come after three weeks of deadly violence in Israel and the occupied West Bank, and as Passover and Easter coincide with Ramadan.

Al-Aqsa is Islam’s third-holiest site. Jews refer to it as the Temple Mount, referencing two temples said to have stood there in antiquity.

Last year during the Muslim fasting month, clashes that flared in Jerusalem, including between Israeli forces and Palestinians visiting Al-Aqsa, led to 11 days of devastating conflict between Israel and Hamas, the Islamist group that rules the Palestinian enclave of Gaza.