Eight Arab and Muslim-majority countries issued a strong condemnation on Thursday against the recent storming of the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in occupied East Jerusalem by far-right groups and thousands of Israeli settlers.

The joint statement from the foreign ministers of Egypt, Indonesia, Jordan, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Turkiye, and the United Arab Emirates denounced the "mass incursions by settlers led by extremist Israeli ministers into the Noble Sanctuary" of Al-Aqsa. The diplomats emphasized that these actions, which they described as provocative, occurred under the protection of Israeli police forces.

The statement highlighted that the storming of Islam's third-holiest site fuels hatred and extremism and hinders efforts towards a just and lasting peace based on the two-state solution. The ministers characterized the escalation as an "unlawful attempt to alter the historical and legal status quo" of Jerusalem's holy sites, asserting that Israel holds no sovereignty over the occupied city or its religious landmarks.

More than 4,200 Israeli settlers and members of far-right groups entered the Al-Aqsa compound on Thursday, coinciding with the Jewish holiday of Tisha B'Av. Israel's National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir was among those who entered the site with significant police escort. Palestinian officials reported that Israeli forces imposed severe restrictions on access, preventing many worshippers and students from entering and allegedly assaulting several individuals.

Israel captured East Jerusalem in 1967 and later annexed it, a move not recognized by the international community. The International Court of Justice ruled in 2024 that Israel's occupation of Palestinian territory, including East Jerusalem, is illegal. Under the existing status quo, the Al-Aqsa Mosque is managed by the Jerusalem Waqf, a Jordanian-appointed body.

Thursday's events marked Tisha B'Av, a Jewish day of mourning commemorating the destruction of ancient temples on the site, known to Muslims as Al-Aqsa and to Jews as the Temple Mount. The joint statement specifically denounced "illegal and extremist acts, including incitement and calls to mobilize incursions, as well as acts of violence committed by Israeli ministers and extremist groups."

The foreign ministers urged Israel, as the "occupying power," to immediately lift the restrictions imposed on access to the Al-Aqsa Mosque. They also called upon the international community to adopt a firm stance, compelling Israel to cease its ongoing violations and illegal practices against Islamic and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem and to respect their sanctity.

This incident adds to the ongoing tensions and complexities of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, with international bodies and regional powers frequently calling for adherence to international law and the preservation of the status quo at holy sites in Jerusalem.