Itamar Ben-Gvir

Muslim worshippers walk at the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound on the last Friday of the holy month of Ramadan, in Jerusalem's Old City, April 5, 2024.

The spokesman for Türkiye's Justice and Development Party (AKP) Ömer Çelik on Monday condemned remarks made by Israel's National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir about constructing a synagogue at the al-Aqsa Mosque site.

Çelik described these comments as "vile and cursed," asserting they are an attack on all Muslims and humanity.

The storming of the Al-Aqsa Mosque by hundreds of radical Israelis, including ministers, will "further escalate tensions" in the region, the Turkish Foreign Ministry said Tuesday.

Israel's Prime Minister has dissolved the six-member military cabinet, marking a significant development following the resignation of Benny Gantz, a centrist and former general.

From left, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and Cabinet Minister Benny Gantz speak during a news conference in the Kirya military base in Tel Aviv, Israel on Oct. 28, 2023

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that a ground offensive in Rafah is imminent, though no specific timing was provided. He emphasized the necessity of entering Rafah for a decisive victory over Hamas. Meanwhile, Hamas indicated dissatisfaction with an Israeli proposal mediated by Egypt and Qatar.

Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant has reassured the US that the planned buffer zone in Gaza will be temporary and solely for security purposes, as reported by the Axios news portal citing US and Israeli officials.

The statements call on Palestinians to leave Gaza.
"I am very disturbed by the statements of senior Israeli officials about plans to transfer civilians from Gaza to third countries," Trk wrote on the social media platform "X".

The leaders of six Western countries reaffirmed their support for Israel's "right to defend itself against terrorism" but also urged it to adhere to international humanitarian law. At the same time, a second humanitarian aid convoy was allowed to enter the Gaza Strip.

Ankara has slammed a raid by Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, accompanied by Israeli security guards, on the Haram Al-Sharif, one of the holiest sites for Muslims.

Calling Ben-Gvir's raid on the Haram Al-Sharif a violation of international law in a written statement on May 21, the Turkish Foreign Ministry said it "strongly condemns" the breach.