Israeli Excavations Threaten Al-Aqsa Mosque adn Islamic Heritage, Palestinians Warn
Jerusalem - Israeli excavations beneath the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound are actively destroying Islamic heritage sites in a intentional attempt to solidify Israel‘s claim over the contested area, the Palestinian Jerusalem Governorate declared Sunday. The Governorate’s statement follows the emergence of leaked videos purportedly showing extensive excavation and demolition work taking place directly under the sacred site.
The Governorate alleges the digging specifically targets Islamic monuments dating back to the Umayyad period (661-750 AD),viewing them as irrefutable evidence of Muslim historical ties to the location. “The occupation authorities are working to destroy these Islamic archaeological landmarks with the aim of obliterating the historical identity of Al-Aqsa Mosque and distorting the facts in favour of the alleged Temple narrative,” the statement read, referencing ongoing efforts to establish a Jewish temple at the site.
The Al-Aqsa Mosque compound holds immense religious importance for Muslims, representing one of Islam’s holiest locations. The Governorate has urgently appealed to the international community, the United Nations, and UNESCO to intervene and halt the ongoing excavations at the UNESCO World Heritage site.
Recent reports from The New Arab’s Arabic-language sister publication, Al-Araby al-jadeed, corroborate the Governorate’s concerns.Earlier this month,Al-Araby Al-Jadeed reported a notable escalation in tunnelling activity beneath Al-Aqsa,including the construction of a tunnel stretching approximately 550 meters.This tunnel reportedly cuts through layers of history, traversing Islamic, Canaanite, and Roman archaeological remains.
Access to these excavation sites is severely restricted, limited solely to employees of the Israeli Ministry of Antiquities. Fakhri Abu Diab, a member of the Al-aqsa Mosque Trustees Council, told Al-Araby Al-Jadeed that he was denied access by Israeli police, who documented his identification. Abu Diab warned that the tunnel directly jeopardizes the structural integrity of the mosque’s southwestern side.
Further fueling concerns, former Jerusalem Grand Mufti and current head of the city’s Supreme islamic Council, Sheikh Ekrima Sabri, alleges that areas promoted by Israel as ancient “Jewish areas” are, in fact, repurposed ancient water channels serving the mosque and surrounding homes. He claims Israeli authorities have drained and expanded these channels, presenting them as an interconnected network of tunnels.
the escalating situation raises fears of irreversible damage to a site of profound religious and historical importance, and underscores the growing tensions surrounding the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound.
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* Keywords: Al-Aqsa Mosque, Jerusalem, Israeli excavations, Islamic heritage,
