The rush to normalise ties with the Israeli occupation by some regional sides and the unwavering support from the US administration for the Israeli occupation have escalated Israeli settlers’ raids on Palestinian holy sites, Hamas spokesperson Hazem Qasem said Wednesday.

In a press release, Qasem explained that Israeli violations at Palestinian holy sites came while the Israeli occupation government is acting in blatant breach of all humanitarian and international laws.

Commenting on breaking into al-Aqsa Mosque by hundreds of extremist Israeli settlers, Qasem stressed that such raids showed “clear disregard to the sentiments of Arabs and Muslims.” 

Qasem reaffirmed that the Palestinian people would defend their holy sites with all means possible and would continue their struggle until ending the Israeli occupation to their lands.

“Jerusalem will be the capital of the future state of Palestine and its identity will remain Arab,” Qasem concluded, confirming that all Israeli plans aimed judaizing the holy city would not pass.

More than 600 fanatic Israeli settlers stormed al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied Jerusalem on Wednesday morning, escorted by Israeli occupation forces, who banned Palestinian worshippers from accessing the sacred compound.