The Jerusalem Municipality, which is administered by Israel, on Sunday destroyed Muslim graves near the Al-Aqsa mosque in occupied eastern Jerusalem.
Several graves at the Al-Yusufiye Cemetery near the Al-Aqsa mosque were demolished by the municipality’s engineering vehicles in the Old City.
After Palestinians gathered on reports of bones found at the cemetery during the demolition operation, the municipality vehicles left the scene.
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Ahmed al-Dajani, executive director of the Commission for the Protection of Muslim Graves, told Anadolu Agency that an Israeli court has given the Israeli Archeology Directorate permission to work on a site close to the graveyard.
He said among the graves demolished were those of Muslims who were martyred in the conflicts between 1948 and 1967, and that Israel will face legal action in response to the municipality’s act.
#Jerusalem Municipality, which is administered by #Israel, destroyed Muslim graves in Al-Yusufiye Cemetery near the #AlAqsaMosque in occupied East Jerusalem. #Muslimgraves #AlYusufiyecemetery #Alyusufiyacemetery #Palestine https://t.co/NdIm4z0Pnc
— Ahmed J Versi (@ahmedversi) October 11, 2021
While the region is an indispensable part of the cemetery, the Jerusalem Municipality under Israeli administration has planned to build a park close to Al-Yusufiye Cemetery, he added.
Al-Yusufiye Cemetery, located next to the wall surrounding the Old City, is one of the oldest Muslim graveyards in occupied Jerusalem.
Earlier, the Jerusalem Municipality attempted to demolish a historic staircase that led to the Old City and Al-Aqsa Mosque, but the move was later prevented by the Palestinians.
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Both the West Bank and East Jerusalem are considered occupied areas under international law.
Israeli police attack worshippers in Al-Aqsa Mosque
Sheikh Omar al-Kiswani, the director of Al-Aqsa Mosque, called on Israeli police to halt their attacks and withdraw from the mosque courtyard.
Al-Aqsa Mosque is the world’s third-holiest site for Muslims. Jews call the area the “Temple Mount,” claiming it was the site of two Jewish temples in ancient times.
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Israel occupied East Jerusalem, where Al-Aqsa is located, during the 1967 Arab-Israeli war. It annexed the entire city in 1980 in a move never recognized by the international community.
Anadolu with additional input by GVS News Desk