17 July 2021; MEMO: Following Israeli lobbying for intensifying raids on Al-Aqsa Mosque, the Palestinian Islamic Resistance Movement Hamas warned Israel not to test its patience because it is ready to defend the Palestinian holy sites, land and property.
In a statement sent to media, Hamas called on the Palestinian people and the Palestinian resistance in the Gaza Strip: "To keep their fingers on the trigger so that the occupier understands that Gaza is a shield for Al-Aqsa Mosque and a sword raised for defending Jerusalem."
The Palestinian resistance movement reiterated: "Continuous mobilisation against the Palestinian holy sites, land and property, as well as harassing the Palestinian people is something that does not go unpunished."
Meanwhile, Hamas called on the Palestinian people in the diaspora to continue organising events and activities in support of Jerusalem and the blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque.
Israeli settler groups, backed by occupying forces, have called for storming Al-Aqsa Mosque on the Day of Arafat as well as placing restrictions on Muslim worshippers on holy days.
The Day of Arafat is an Islamic holiday that falls on the 9th day of the Islamic month of Hajj. It is the holiest day in the Islamic calendar, the second day of the Hajj pilgrimage and the first day of the major Islamic holiday of Eid Al-Adha.
In response to the settlers' plans, Jerusalemites also called for going on a holy pilgrimage to Al-Aqsa Mosque to repel settler raids.
"We are calling on people to travel to Al-Aqsa Mosque on the Day of Arafat to repel settlers' incursions into the blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque," Al-Qastal, a networking hub for Palestinians in occupied Jerusalem, tweeted.
