Hamas leader Haniya called on Palestinians to go to Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem on the first day of Ramadan. He said, “To the Palestinians in Jerusalem and the West Bank, go to Al Aqsa on the first day of Ramadan.”
He made the call at a time when the Israel-Hamas ceasefire proposal was being discussed in Qatar.
Biden said a ceasefire could be announced during the holy month of Ramadan. In that situation, the Hamas leader asked the Palestinians to go to Al-Aqsa. Part of the Haram al-Sharif complex in Jerusalem’s Old City is the Al-Aqsa Mosque, one of the holiest sites for Muslims. This place is called the Temple Mount, which is the holiest area for Jews.
Israel’s official spokesman said the Hamas leader’s comments were “very unfortunate”. His complaint is that the fight is being taken to other fronts. The United States said on Wednesday that Israel should allow Muslims to pray at Al-Aqsa Mosque during Ramadan.
US State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said, “We are appealing to Israel to allow peaceful prayers during Ramadan, following the tradition of the past.” According to him, it is in Israel’s interest that tensions in the West Bank and border areas should not be allowed to escalate. The month of Ramadan starts from March 10.
Biden had previously said that a cease-fire could be announced by next Monday.