On Sunday, around 430 extremist settlers forcefully entered the courtyards of the Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied Jerusalem, marking another breach of one of Islam’s holiest sites.

The UAE, on Tuesday, issued a statement condemning the actions of the settlers and reaffirming its stance on the necessity of providing increased protection for Al-Aqsa Mosque. The UAE’s Foreign Ministry emphasized the importance of respecting Jordan’s custodial role over the holy sites and endowments in compliance with international law. It stressed that no one should be allowed to undermine the authority of the Jerusalem Endowment Administration and Al-Aqsa Mosque. The ministry further called on Israeli authorities to take responsibility for ending all attacks that could escalate tensions.

Similarly, Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Ministry, on Monday, described the Israeli actions as a blatant violation of international norms and conventions, and a provocation to the sentiments of Muslims worldwide. The ministry held Tel Aviv accountable for the repercussions of such actions and urged the international community to fulfill its responsibilities in protecting civilians and finding ways to resolve the conflict.

Echoing the sentiment, Egypt’s Foreign Ministry called on Israel to immediately cease any actions that could provoke the sentiments of millions of Muslims globally and fuel violence in the occupied Palestinian territories.

In a joint effort to reinvigorate the Palestine-Israel peace process, Saudi Arabia, the European Union, the Arab League, Egypt, and Jordan announced the Peace Day Efforts initiative on Monday. The announcement was made during a meeting held in New York on the sidelines of the 78th UN General Assembly. The meeting was attended by Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit, Jordan’s Deputy Prime Minister Ayman Safadi, and Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan.

Prince Faisal emphasized the need for the two-state solution to be brought to the forefront, expressing concern over the ongoing escalation in the occupied territories.

The Peace Day Efforts initiative aligns with the Arab Peace Initiative, a comprehensive proposal aimed at achieving peace and development in the region.

The joint condemnation by Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Egypt underscores their united stance against the storming of Al-Aqsa Mosque and their commitment to safeguarding the rights and sanctity of religious sites. The Peace Day Efforts initiative reflects their ongoing efforts to promote a peaceful resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and create an environment conducive to stability and prosperity in the region.

The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs reiterated its unwavering support for the Palestinian cause and emphasized the need for the international community to take immediate action to put an end to the Israeli escalation. The statement called upon the international community to fulfill its responsibilities and provide the necessary protection for civilians affected by the conflict.

The storming of Al-Aqsa mosque, one of Islam’s holiest sites, has sparked outrage and condemnation from Muslims worldwide. The incident occurred as a group of extremists, allegedly under the protection of Israeli occupation forces, forcefully entered the mosque compound, leading to clashes with Palestinian worshippers.

Saudi Arabia held the Israeli occupation forces fully responsible for the repercussions of these continued violations, highlighting the urgency of finding a peaceful resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The Kingdom stressed the importance of respecting the sanctity of religious sites and called for an immediate cessation of hostilities.

This latest incident further exacerbates the tensions in the region, which have been escalating in recent months. Saudi Arabia has consistently called for a just and lasting solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, based on the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital, in accordance with international resolutions.

The Saudi government has urged the international community to redouble its efforts to bring an end to the conflict, stating that a lasting peace can only be achieved through dialogue and negotiations. Saudi Arabia reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the Palestinian people in their quest for self-determination, independence, and the establishment of a viable and sovereign state.

As the situation in the region remains volatile, Saudi Arabia’s condemnation of the storming of Al-Aqsa mosque underscores the Kingdom’s commitment to upholding the rights of Palestinians and preserving the religious and cultural heritage of the Islamic world. The international community is now called upon to heed Saudi Arabia’s plea for urgent action and work towards a peaceful resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

An Israeli police raid at the site last week triggered rocket attacks on Israel from Gaza, Lebanon and Syria that were met with Israeli strikes. In previous years Israel has banned Jewish visits to the compound in the last 10 days of Ramadan.