By Neelam Rahim

In discussion with Radio Islam International this week, Palestine Report Hafez Ebrahim Moosa highlights some disturbing developments that have once again located Masjidul-Aqsa in the eye of the storm. 

There are pictures of a female Spanish tourist who had entered Masjidul-Aqsa wearing an inappropriate dress, and in addition, she was seen posing casually in such garb on the steps of the dome of the rock. 

According to Hafez Ebrahim, it has now come to the fore that this was not an isolated incident. There are a number of similar pictures of similarly dressed tourists on social media who have entered Masjidul-Aqsa in such garb. 

Palestinian researchers say that in addition to the almost daily settler incursions at Masjidul-Aqsa, Israel is allowing the such scantily dressed person’s to enter Masjidul-Aqsa not just randomly. Still, it’s part of Israeli efforts to undermine Muslim control and erode the status of Masjidul-Aqsa from a Masjid to a public square. 

In terms of other news from Masjidul-Aqsa, Hafez Ebrahim said on Sunday, for the first time since 1967, the Israeli Occupation allowed settlers to enter from the Tribes Gate in the North East of Masjidul-Aqsa. 

The danger surrounding this is that it now opens new fronts for settlers to enter Masjidul-Aqsa and adds a new level of control to Masjidul-Aqsa, as per Hafez Ebrahim. 

He added there is another news development saying that there are new plans for the Occupation to plant twenty-five thousand Jewish settlers in the vicinity of Masjidul-Aqsa and the old city of Masjidul-Aqsa. Undermining Palestinian presence in the old city and directly next to Masjidul-Aqsa, the first line of defence for Masjidul-Aqsa comes from these residents, which is a further attempt from the Israelis to erode this. 

Meanwhile, the trauma of a Palestinian girl who lost her limbs in an Israeli strike is now receiving treatment in Turkey. 

Hafez Ebrahim said the 11-year-old Palestinian girl was playing with her cousins close to her refugee home in the Northern Gaza strip when an Israeli missile hit the area, killing five children and injuring others. The result of the F16 rocket caused her the loss of three limbs, both her legs and one of her arms and also damaged her eyesight. 

She had appealed at the time for urgent medical assistance, her plea was heard, and she was taken over to the Turkish Capital, Ankara. 

“A positive story in the sense that she is receiving attention and managed to make the journey to Turkey. But the trauma is very much far from over.” 

581 Palestinians, all of whom Hufazul Quran participated in the massive event organised by Darul Quran Was Sunnah institute in the Gaza strip last Tuesday. 

According to Hafez Ebrahim, they were tasked during the event to recite the entire Quran separately from memory during this single day. 

He said terrific scenes were coming out from this event. Young and old Hufaz, men & women, including children, all participate in a tremendous spiritual and Quranic ambience event.

Listen to the Palestine Report on Radio Islam’s podcast below.