Palestinian Killed by Explosive Device Left Behind by IOF
Allowing Non-Muslims into al-Aqsa ‘Attempt to Sabotage Peace Efforts’: PLO
A Palestinian died and another was injured on Saturday in an explosion in the Gaza Strip, one day after Israeli
Occupation Forces (IOF) raided the northern West Bank town of Jenin and shelled Palestinian residential neighborhoods in
the central Gaza Strip town of Deir al-Balah.
Majdi Abu Shaluf was “killed by an explosive device left behind by the Israeli army” east of the southern Gaza Strip
town of Khan Younis, a Palestinian security spokesman said.
Meanwhile, IOF tanks shelled al-Mahata area, near the town of Deir al-Balah, Palestinian security sources said on
Friday.
IOF also imposed curfew on al-Zarba area, in the town of Khan Younis, and raided citizens’ houses, witnesses said.
In Jenin, IOF troops raided al-Basateen neighborhood and opened fire at residents’ houses, witnesses said.
No casualties were reported. However, many houses were damaged by Israeli tank machine gunfire, witnesses added.
IOF Prevent Muslim Worshipers From Reaching al-Aqsa
Also on Friday, IOF sealed off all entrances to the al-Aqsa compound in occupied east Jerusalem, preventing thousands of
Muslim worshipers from reaching the holy shrine.
Hundreds of Israeli occupation soldiers who were deployed around the compound clashed with the worshipers who trying to
reach the mosque, witnesses said.
Officials from the Waqf—the Islamic trust running the site— described the Israeli move as an “attack against the
citizens’ religious rights.”
Allowing Non Muslims to Visit al-Aqsa ‘Attempt to Sabotage Peace Efforts’: PLO
The latest Israeli attacks come amid Palestinian condemnation of Israel’s decision to allow non-Muslims into the al-Aqsa
mosque compound in occupied east Jerusalem.
The Palestinian Liberation Organization’s (PLO) Executive Committee condemned Israel’s decision to allow non-Muslims to
enter the al-Aqsa mosque compound, which Palestinian President Yasser Arafat has described as “conspiracy.”
In the meeting headed by Arafat on Friday, the PLO’s highest decision-making body described the measure as an Israeli
“attempt to sabotage the peace efforts, aimed at ending the conflict.”
The committee also called on the international community to intervene immediately to stop the Israeli “provocative and
racist measures, which come at a time when all efforts are directed toward implementing the ‘roadmap’ … to open the
horizon for the peace process.”
Officials from the Waqf banned Jews and other non-Muslims from visiting the site shortly after the current conflict
erupted. However, on Monday, Israeli officials confirmed that police had actually escorted groups of Jews and tourists
into the site, despite Palestinian opposition.
The Intifada for independence from the 36-year-old Israeli occupation erupted on September 28, 2000, after, Ariel
Sharon, now the Israeli premier, made a provocative visit, heavily guarded by occupation troops and police, causing
clashes, which rendered 6 Palestinians dead that day.
Al-Aqsa Mosque, also known as al-Haram al-Sharif, is Islam’s third holiest shrine. The compound is known to Jews as the
Temple Mount.
The PLO executive committee also condemned the Israeli assassinations, mass detentions as well as the closure, which is
still imposed on Palestinian cities and towns.
It also called on the quartet, composed from the US, EU, UN, and Russia, to work for the implementation of the “roadmap”
for peace, according to a clear and fixed timetable.
The internationally adopted “roadmap” calls for the establishment of an independent Palestinian state in 2005.