Khaberni - The Jerusalem governorate has warned of Israel's continued excavation activities around Al-Aqsa Mosque and in the Old City of Jerusalem, confirming that these activities pose a real threat to the historical and Islamic landmarks in Jerusalem.
The advisor to the Jerusalem governorate, Marouf Al-Rifai, told the Palestinian News Agency "Wafa", that the old-new Israeli activities in the excavations beneath the Al-Aqsa Mosque, especially those aimed at connecting several colonial sites via a network of tunnels, are part of a comprehensive plan to Judaize the historical landmarks in Old Jerusalem, in a clear violation of international laws and humanitarian laws.
Al-Rifai clarified that these tunnels extend from the area which the occupation authorities call "City of David", passing through passages constructed with stone walls, explaining that most of these tunnels were originally water passages that were dried up and transformed into tunnels, museums, and Jewish synagogues. He noted that among these tunnels is a historical tunnel formerly known as "Souk Al-Jabana", which the occupation has turned into a Jewish tourist path, posing a direct threat to the infrastructure beneath Al-Aqsa Mosque.
He added that these excavations could lead to the destruction of some Palestinian landmarks, including ancient houses and schools, as well as affecting the soil beneath Al-Aqsa Mosque, which may threaten the stability of its foundations.
Al-Rifai affirmed that "what the occupation authorities are doing falls under a systematic policy to impose Israeli control over the holy sites in Jerusalem, in a dangerous step aimed at erasing the Palestinian identity of the holy city", explaining that these activities are part of a long-term political project aimed at changing the features of the Old City and completely Judaizing it.
He pointed out that "the occupation focuses its excavations on destroying religious landmarks, including the walls of Al-Aqsa Mosque and the surrounding areas, in a clear attempt to impose its control over the holy city and the Islamic and Christian holy sites." He added that Israel is working to demolish existing landmarks and alter the features of historical sites to fit its Biblical narrative.
Al-Rifai noted that these excavations are carried out secretly or semi-secretly, away from any international supervision, which increases their danger as they directly affect the foundations of Al-Aqsa Mosque and its historical landmarks, and threaten to undermine its architectural stability in a Judaization effort to legitimize the occupation's claims that "Jerusalem is a Jewish city".
