RIYADH, April 15 (KUNA) -- Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Dr. Nayef Al-Hajraf condemned in strongest terms the Israeli Special Forces' storming of Al-Aqsa Mosque and the attacks on Muslim worshippers earlier Friday.
Hundreds of worshippers were injured or detained by the Israeli forces, which constitutes a serious violation and an unacceptable escalation of the aggressions against the Palestinian people, Dr. Al-Hajraf said in a statement.
He stressed the need of forcing Israel into respect for the historical and legal status quo of the occupied holy city of Jerusalem and all sacred sites there, and halting all illegal measures against the Palestinian residents of the city.
Dr. Al-Hajraf urged the international community to shoulder its responsibility for protecting the safety of Al-Aqsa Mosque and the lives of worshippers, and forcing Israel into meeting its obligations under the international humanitarian law.
Since Friday morning, at least 153 Palestinian worshippers have been wounded and 450 others detained during Israeli forces storming of the Mosque, the Muslims' third holiest shrine, according Palestinian medical sources. (end) mdm.gb