Baghdad: Eight Arab and Islamic countries, including Turkey, have condemned Israel's escalation and the incursions carried out by settlers and extremist ministers into the Al-Aqsa Mosque, urging the international community to take a "firm stance" to compel Israel to halt its violations against the holy sites in Jerusalem.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, the foreign ministers of Jordan, the UAE, Indonesia, Pakistan, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Egypt released a joint statement condemning the Israeli actions at the Al-Aqsa Mosque/Haram al-Sharif. They expressed strong disapproval of the continued mass incursions by settlers, led by extremist Israeli ministers and protected by Israeli police forces. The ministers specifically condemned the raising of the Israeli flag within the Al-Aqsa Mosque/Haram al-Sharif compound and other provocative actions, labeling them as violations of international law and the historical status quo of the holy sites in occupied East Jerusalem.

The ministers strongly denounced the illegal acts of incitement and violence perpetrated by Israeli ministers and extremist groups, warning that such actions fuel hatred and extremism and hinder efforts to achieve a just peace based on a two-state solution. They also criticized the restrictions imposed on access to Jerusalem's Old City and other places of worship, describing them as violations of international law and attempts to alter the historical and legal status quo.

The statement affirmed that Israel has no sovereignty over occupied Jerusalem or its Islamic and Christian holy sites and condemned the measures implemented by Israel to alter the character of occupied East Jerusalem. The ministers called on Israel to lift restrictions on access to the Old City and refrain from obstructing Muslim worshippers' access to the Al-Aqsa Mosque.

Additionally, the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement condemning the actions. The incident escalated when Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, accompanied by extremists and under police protection, entered the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in occupied Jerusalem.

The joint statement urged the international community to take decisive action to compel Israel to cease its violations and illegal practices against the Islamic and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem.