RAMALLAH: The Al-Aqsa Foundation for Endowment and Heritage said on Friday that Israeli authorities had begun excavation to build a tunnel near Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem.
The foundation, in a press statement, said the tunnel was being built underneath the Arab neighborhood of Silwan and is now 120 meters long, 1.5 meters wide and 3 meters high. The foundation added that the tunnel was heading north toward Al-Aqsa Mosque.
It said the tunnel would be connected with another one being built underneath Silwan neighborhood, with the aim of eventually connecting it with the network of tunnels that leads to Al-Aqsa Mosque. According to the foundation, the Israeli Antiquities Authority and the right-wing group Elad with the help of Jewish occupiers are working six days a week to complete the tunnel. The organization warned that the use of heavy machines was weakening the foundations of Al-Aqsa Mosque and endangering the houses in Silwan neighborhood.
The foundation stressed that the Israeli move aimed at Judaizing Jerusalem and the Al-Aqsa Mosque surroundings. The objective of the excavation is to demolish Al-Aqsa Mosque and to build the so-called second temple on the ruins of Al-Aqsa, the foundation said.
It explained that Israeli authorities were carrying out the excavations in order to construct trade and tourism facilities and that some of these facilities will start underground.
The Grand Mufti of Jerusalem and Palestine Sheikh Mohammed Hussein criticized the Israeli move. Speaking to Arab News, he said that Tel Aviv was provoking Muslims by building a tunnel near Al-Aqsa in the holy month of Ramadan.
Hussein and the Al-Aqsa Foundation have urged Muslim states to take action to stop the Israeli excavation in the area.
Meanwhile, around 100,000 Palestinians reached Al-Aqsa Mosque for Friday prayers.
Hussein told Arab News that Israeli occupation forces barred thousands of worshippers from reaching the mosque.
Since early Friday morning, thousands of Palestinians from across the northern West Bank cities waited in queues to be allowed entry.
