Türkiye’s Defense Ministry spokesperson Zeki Aktürk said raids by Israeli extremist groups on Al-Aqsa Mosque were raising tensions in the region.
Aktürk made the statement at a weekly press briefing held in Kayseri on Thursday. Saying that Türkiye rejects raids on Al-Aqsa Mosque, Aktürk said violations and provocations targeting holy sites undermined efforts to achieve peace and stability.
Call to the international community
Aktürk said Israel was continuing its attacks in the West Bank and settlers were continuing activities to seize Palestinian land. He also argued that Israel had caused the deaths of 74,000 Palestinians and deprived Palestinians of their right to live with dignity.

Aktürk said Türkiye had renewed its call on the international community to take deterrent measures against Israeli attacks that violate international law and international humanitarian law. He added that global public opinion needed to take action to end the situation in Palestine.
Raids on Al-Aqsa Mosque
About 800 Israeli settlers entered Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied East Jerusalem on Thursday under the protection of Israeli police.

According to data from the Jerusalem Islamic Waqf Department, more than 1,500 settlers entered Al-Aqsa on Sunday, more than 1,700 on Monday, more than 1,400 on Tuesday and more than 2,400 on Wednesday.
Settler raids on Al-Aqsa Mosque intensify during Jewish holidays. Violations of the existing status quo at the mosque also increase during these periods.