Muslims In Kosovo, North Macedonia Seek End To Israel's Attacks On Palestinians

Muslim groups of Kosovo and North Macedonia on Tuesday condemned Israel's violence against Palestinians living in occupied East Jerusalem.

The Islamic Union of Kosovo and the North Macedonia Islamic Union urged international actors to intervene at the earliest to restore peace and calm.

"We maintain our belief that international actors must intervene as soon as possible to stop this violence against Al-Aqsa Mosque and innocent Muslims and to establish peace and tranquility," read a statement by the North Macedonia Islamic Union.

"We pray to Allah Almighty for peace to prevail all over the world for the good and future of all humanity."

Naim Ternava, president of the Kosovan group, stressed the importance of Jerusalem being a place of coexistence and understanding.

"We pray that Jerusalem, Al-Aqsa, and other places of worship will find peace as soon as possible and that the inhabitants of Jerusalem will find peace and security," the official said.

Israeli forces have been relentless in their attacks on Palestinians in occupied East Jerusalem since Friday, when they injured more than 200 Palestinians at the Al-Aqsa Mosque, the third-holiest site in the world for Muslims, and in the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood.

Heavily armed Israeli forces stormed the mosque twice again on Monday, firing rubber-coated bullets, tear gas, and stun grenades at Palestinians, wounding more than 300.

In the Sheikh Jarrah area, tensions have been high since last week as Israeli settlers have swarmed in after an Israeli court ordered the eviction of Palestinian families.

Israeli forces and settlers have repeatedly assaulted Palestinians who have turned up to express solidarity with the families facing eviction, with many also having been detained.Tel Aviv launched air strikes on Gaza on Monday after Palestinian groups fired rockets in response to days of violence by Israel in Jerusalem.

The death toll in Israel's deadly ongoing air offensive increased to 28 by Tuesday evening, including one woman and 10 children, while 152 more people have been injured since the air raids started on Monday, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry. -