Sheikh Ra’ed Salah, head of the Islamic Movement in 1948-occupied Palestine, has called on Palestinians to travel en masse to the Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied Jerusalem, urging them to strengthen their presence at the holy site in the face of escalating Israeli restrictions and settler incursions.

Sheikh Salah called on Palestinians from the Galilee, the Triangle, the Negev and coastal cities, including Acre, Haifa, Jaffa, Lod and Ramla, to make their way to Al-Aqsa for prayers, Quran recitation, supplication and spiritual retreat.

He stressed that the continuous presence of Palestinians at the mosque is essential to confronting attempts to undermine its Islamic identity and restrict Muslim access to the sacred site.

Sheikh Salah reaffirmed that Al-Aqsa Mosque belongs exclusively and eternally to the Muslim nation, stressing that its Islamic status cannot be altered.

“This status will remain unchanged until the Day of Judgment,” he said.

He warned that Al-Aqsa is facing increasingly severe restrictions as Israeli settlers intensify their incursions into the mosque compound, both in frequency and scope.

“The Aqsa Mosque faces mounting restrictions and rapidly shifting conditions, as settler break-ins grow in both frequency and scope,” Sheikh Salah said.

He described the developments as a warning that requires Palestinians to maintain a permanent and active presence at the holy site to protect their right to worship there.

“These developments underscore the urgent need to maintain a continuous presence at the holy site to safeguard Muslims’ right to it,” he said.

Sheikh Salah’s call comes amid growing Palestinian concerns over Israeli measures at Al-Aqsa and attempts by settler groups to expand their presence at the site, which remains one of the most sensitive flashpoints in occupied Jerusalem.

Palestinians have repeatedly stressed that defending Al-Aqsa requires preserving its historical status quo and ensuring unrestricted access for Muslim worshippers, while rejecting Israeli efforts to impose new realities at the holy compound. (ILKHA)