Ankara: Trkiye's Communications Director Burhanettin Duran on Thursday "strongly" condemned the Israeli raid led by Israel's national security minister on Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied East Jerusalem. "I strongly condemn the provocative raid carried out by an Israeli Cabinet minister, accompanied by an extremist group, on Al-Aqsa Mosque. No attempt targeting the sanctity of Al-Aqsa Mosque is acceptable," Duran said on social media.

According to Anadolu Agency, Duran criticized the actions of the Israeli government, specifically pointing out the unilateral actions by the administration of Benjamin Netanyahu. He expressed concerns that such actions are aimed at eroding the historical and legal status of Jerusalem, escalating regional tensions, and undermining hopes for lasting peace.

Duran emphasized the importance of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's remarks on the need to protect the historical status of Jerusalem and the mosque. He stated that preserving these places is not only a regional responsibility but also a shared responsibility of the international community.

He vowed that Ankara will continue to defend the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people and the rights of Jerusalem under international law. The incident involved around 1,300 Israeli occupiers, including Israel's extremist National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, who stormed the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in occupied East Jerusalem, marking the Jewish holiday of Tisha B'Av, according to the Jerusalem Governorate.