Israel excavating under major non-Jewish religious site without permission, damaging homes

IMEMC – The Al Aqsa Foundation for Islamic Endowment (Waqf) and Heritage reported Thursday that the Israeli Authorities are ongoing with their excavations under the Al Aqsa Mosque [the third most sacred site in Islam] as they are ongoing with creating a network of tunnels under the mosque and around it.

In its Thursday press release, the foundation stated that the occupation is penetrating areas beneath the mosque and its surroundings through excavations that have been escalated over the last few months.

The foundation added that the excavations and digging are also being conducted under the Al Boraq Wall near the Moghrabi Gate (Bab Al Magharba), Al Silsila Gate (Gate of the Chain), and Al Mat-hara Gate.

The tunnels link with a network of tunnels that are being dug in Wadi Hilwa in Silwan, and penetrate an area under the Old Jerusalem Wall near the outer area of the Moghrabi Gate.

Israel is also conducting excavations near Bad Al Amoud in order to link newly created tunnels with a tunnel that goes under the Al Omary School.

The Al Aqsa Foundation stated that it has been collecting testimonies of witnesses who managed to enter the tunnels, and residents whose homes suffered cracks due to ongoing Israeli excavations.

Nearly one month ago, researchers of the Foundation managed to enter a tunnel that extends from the center of Silwan towards Wadi Hilwa, and reaches under the Al Boraq yard.

It warned that Israel is targeting the Al Aqsa mosque by weakening its foundations through constant digging and excavations to create these tunnels.