Head of Hamas Political Bureau Ismail Haniyeh expressed his solidarity with Sheikh Ekrima Sabri, preacher of al-Aqsa Mosque, following an Israeli order banning the former grand mufti of Palestine from entering the al-Aqsa Mosque compound.

Speaking to Sabri on the phone on Monday evening, Haniyeh voiced his rejection of the Israeli decision, calling it a “new violation against the al-Aqsa Mosque, freedom of worship and Palestinian rights.”

Barring Sabri from accessing the al-Aqsa Mosque comes as part of a bid to empty Jerusalem of its residents and judaize the holy city, Haniyeh explained.

The top Hamas official briefed the Jerusalemite figure on the calls and meetings that he held to discuss status quo of Jerusalem and reiterated his movement’s rejection of any proposal targeting Palestinian rights or holy sites, including the al-Aqsa Mosque, above all the “deal of the century.”

Haniyeh stressed that he will continue his political efforts to fight off Trump’s plan and mobilise support to protect Jerusalem and its holy sites, including the al-Aqsa Mosque, and preserve the constant Palestinian rights.