Jerusalem: The Jerusalem Governorate has issued a warning regarding the ongoing Israeli excavation activities around Al-Aqsa Mosque and within the Old City of Jerusalem.
According to Palestine News and Information Agency – WAFA, Marouf Al-Rifai, an adviser to the Jerusalem Governorate, expressed concerns in an interview about the continuation of both old and new Israeli excavation works beneath Al-Aqsa Mosque. These works, which include the digging of tunnels that connect various colonial sites, are seen as part of a broader plan to alter the historical and Islamic landmarks of the Old City. Al-Rifai emphasized that these actions contravene Islamic law.
The tunnels are said to link areas referred to by the occupation authorities as the “City of David,” traversing through passages constructed to resemble stone walls. Many of these tunnels were originally historical waterways that have since been dried out and repurposed into tunnels, museums, and synagogues. One such tunnel, known as the “Jabbana Market,” has been converted into a Jewish tourist trail, posing a threat to the infrastructure beneath Al-Aqsa Mosque.
Al-Rifai warned that the excavations could lead to the destruction of Palestinian landmarks, including historic homes and ancient schools. Moreover, they could destabilize the soil beneath Al-Aqsa Mosque, threatening the integrity of its foundations. He criticized the excavations for lacking a scientific methodology and being politically motivated, in violation of the existing status quo.
He further stated that these tunnels are part of an effort to assert Israeli control over the holy sites in Jerusalem. This raises concerns about the future of the city and its Palestinian identity, as the tunnels are viewed as a component of a long-term political strategy aimed at altering the Old City’s features.
The Israeli excavations are reportedly focused on dismantling religious landmarks, including the walls of Al-Aqsa Mosque and surrounding areas, in an attempt to assert Israeli dominance over Jerusalem’s Islamic and Christian holy sites. Al-Rifai noted that Israel is systematically demolishing existing landmarks and repositioning them to fit the Israeli narrative.
These activities are being conducted covertly or semi-covertly, without international oversight, impacting the foundations of Al-Aqsa Mosque and its historical landmarks. This effort is seen as part of a Judaization attempt to substantiate claims that “Jerusalem is a Jewish city.”