Jerusalem: Far-right Israeli minister Itamar Ben-Gvir's visit and prayer at Jerusalem's Al-Aqsa mosque compound on Sunday has sparked widespread regional condemnation. The Al-Aqsa compound, a highly sensitive site where non-Muslim prayer is traditionally prohibited, became the center of heightened tensions following Ben-Gvir's controversial presence. The visit coincides with severe humanitarian challenges in Gaza, as hospitals reported 33 Palestinians killed by Israeli fire while seeking food aid.
According to France24.com, the Israeli government's actions are under intense global scrutiny due to the worsening famine conditions in Gaza. Ben-Gvir's visit to the site, known as the Temple Mount to Jews and the Noble Sanctuary to Muslims, threatens to derail international mediation efforts aimed at halting Israel's nearly two-year-long military campaign in the region. The compound houses the Al-Aqsa Mosque, Islam’s third-holiest site, and has been a historical flashpoint for violence and conflict.
Ben-Gvir's previous visits have incited threats from Palestinian militant groups, with similar tensions having previously resulted in an 11-day conflict with Hamas in 2021. The latest visit has drawn swift condemnation from Palestinian leaders and countries such as Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey. In response to the provocation, Houthi rebels in Yemen claimed to have launched drones towards Israel, which were reportedly intercepted by the Israeli military.
Videos released by Hamas and Islamic Jihad showing hostages under duress have led to outrage across the Israeli political spectrum, highlighting grim conditions and food shortages faced by captives. The situation has prompted calls for urgent action from Israel and the United States to secure the hostages' release, with Israel's mission to the UN requesting an emergency Security Council meeting to address the crisis.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has accused Hamas of attempting to undermine Israel through these distressing videos, asserting that they aim to break Israeli resolve. The Prime Minister's office has sought assistance from the Red Cross to provide aid to the hostages, with the International Committee of the Red Cross expressing alarm over the situation and advocating for access to those held captive.
The humanitarian crisis in Gaza continues to worsen, with the Palestinian Red Crescent Society reporting casualties among its staff due to Israeli shelling. The Red Cross has condemned the attacks on first responders, while Israeli forces have reportedly killed 33 Palestinians seeking food on Sunday alone. Gaza's health ministry has recorded a rising toll of malnutrition-related deaths, with 82 adults and 93 children succumbing to starvation since the onset of the conflict.
Efforts to alleviate the dire conditions in Gaza have seen some progress, with Israel increasing the flow of aid into the region. However, the UN and relief organizations assert that the measures are insufficient, with the need for significantly more aid reaching the besieged population. The ongoing conflict, sparked by a deadly attack in 2023, has resulted in substantial casualties on both sides, with the health ministry in Gaza reporting over 60,800 Palestinian deaths.
The figures provided by Gaza's health ministry, although contested by Israel, are considered reliable by independent experts and the UN. As tensions persist and casualties rise, the international community continues to grapple with the complex challenges and humanitarian impacts of the enduring conflict.