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Stop Israeli attacks during Ramadan, Palestinian PM urges

Stop Israeli attacks during Ramadan, Palestinian PM urges
Palestinian PM Mohammed Shtayyeh said Ramadan is a time of increased Israeli attacks and urged the international community to intervene.
2 min read
05 April, 2022
Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammed Shtayyeh said Israeli attacks increase during Ramadan [Getty]

Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammed Shtayyeh called on the international community to urge Israel to stop its attacks on Ìýduring the holy month of Ramadan.

Shtayyeh said the international community must stop Israeli military and extremist attacks around theÌý, with far-right activists appearing to be planning on storming the mosque during Ramadan.

Israeli attacks during the holy month quicklyÌýescalate, with repression of Palestinian protests last year leading to Hamas firing rockets from Gaza.

"The Israeli escalation against the Palestinians, which included killing, torturing, arresting, and allowing settlers to commit crimes, poses great risks to security and stability in the region," ShtayyehÌýsaid during his weekly cabinet meeting.

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Palestinians typically gather in their hundreds to perform prayers at Al-Aqsa during Ramadan, as well as break their fast and spend time around the neighbouring Damascus Gate in the evenings.

They are routinely banned from entering the Al-Aqsa Mosque, while far-right Israeli activists and settlers are allowed to march inside the sacred compoundÌýand attack Palestinians, usually with noÌýconsequences.

"Israel allows settlers to carry weapons and kill Palestinians just because they are suspects," Shtayyeh said.

He said he holdsÌýIsrael "fully responsible for the serious consequences resulting from this escalation".

Ramadan coincides this year with the 74th anniversary of the Palestinian Nakba.

The period marks aÌýyear since a wave of Palestinian protests began, dubbed "", triggered by Israeli authorities' violent dispersal of worshipers at Al-Aqsa Mosque and attempts to displace Palestinian families in the Sheikh Jarrah neighbourhood.

After Hamas responded with rocket fire, Israeli airstrikes on Gaza killed around 250 Palestinians including dozens of children.

Tensions remain high in the city, following the killing ofÌýÌýin the West BankÌýandÌýJerusalem.

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