Hamas has denounced the Israeli demolition of Al-Shiyah Mosque in the Al-Mukabber neighborhood of Occupied Jerusalem, describing it as part of a broader "religious and cultural war" against the city’s Islamic identity and landmarks.

The mosque, which had stood for over two decades, was destroyed on Tuesday by Israeli authorities citing a lack of building permits. The move has drawn sharp criticism from Hamas, which labeled it “a new crime” by what it referred to as Israel’s "extremist government" against the Palestinian people.

In a statement, Hamas warned of escalating Israeli efforts to implement "Judaization plans" targeting Jerusalem's Islamic and Christian sanctities, including the Aqsa Mosque. The group called for urgent and effective intervention by Arab and Islamic countries to counter these actions and safeguard the religious and cultural heritage of Jerusalem.

The demolition of the mosque has further heightened tensions, with Palestinian groups accusing Israel of intensifying efforts to alter the religious and cultural landscape of the city.

Israeli authorities, however, justified the action on the grounds that the mosque was constructed without proper permits, a claim frequently disputed by Palestinian residents and rights groups, who argue that permit applications are systematically denied in Occupied Jerusalem. (ILKHA)