LOC14:31
11:31 GMT
RAMALLAH, Feb 2 (KUNA) -- Al-Aqsa Holy mosque might collapse due to the
Israeli excavation works taking place under its bases, besides the building of
a huge network of tunnels, warned Palestinian Chief Justice Taiseer Al-Tamimi
here on Monday.
He told media the Israeli excavations under Al-Aqsa are behind the collapse
of the ground of a classroom in a school belonging to the United Nations
Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) in
Jerusalem, which injured 17 students 100 meters from Al-Aqsa grounds.
He said that the Israel authorities melted the entire rock base under
Al-Aqsa using certain chemicals, and removed the soil beneath, leaving the
mosque at great jeopardy. This danger is compounded by the cracks in the
western walls of the holy mosque so that any earthquake or shake would lead to
collapse.
The official mentioned that since the Israeli attack on Gaza, the Israeli
government and the radical groups were keener than ever to change the identity
of the town, where the Israelis are building 3,500 settlement units in
Jerusalem in order to isolate it from its surroundings.
He called on the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC), Jerusalem
committee, The Arab League, and United Nations Educational, Scientific, and
Cultural Organization (UNESCO) to honor their historic and humanitarian
responsibility and fulfill their obligations towards Al-Aqsa Mosque and
Jerusalem.(end)
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