Unilateral action against al-Aqsa Mosque 'unacceptable': US

WASHINGTON

The storming of the al-Aqsa Mosque complex in occupied East Jerusalem by hundreds of radical Israelis is "unacceptable," the US Statement Department said Tuesday.

"Let me just say clearly that the United States stands firmly for preservation of the historic status quo with respect to the holy sites of Jerusalem.

"Any unilateral action like this that jeopardizes such a status quo is unacceptable," deputy spokesman Vedant Patel told reporters.

His remarks came after illegal Israeli settlers as well as far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, his fellow Otzma Yehudit party Minister Yitzhak Wasserlauf and Knesset member of the Likud party Amit Halevi stormed the complex to commemorate Tisha B'Av, an annual Jewish fasting day.

Al-Aqsa Mosque is considered the third-holiest site in Islam. Jews refer to the area as the Temple Mount, believing it to be the location of two ancient Jewish temples.

"And not only is it unacceptable, it detracts from what we think is a vital time as we are working to get this cease-fire deal across the finish line," Patel added.

"It detracts from what our stated goal is for the region, which is a two-state solution, a Palestinian state and an Israeli state that's side by side, living in with dignity and harmony.”

He said even Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office made clear that the events of this morning are "a deviation from what is Israeli policy and a deviation from the status quo."

Partners in Qatar told US they will work to have Hamas at cease-fire talks

Patel reiterated that the US is committed to a cease-fire deal in Gaza.

US President Joe Biden said on May 31 that Israel presented a three-phase deal that would end hostilities in Gaza and secure the release of hostages in the besieged enclave. The plan includes a cease-fire, a hostage-prisoner exchange and the reconstruction of Gaza.

For months, Egypt, Qatar, and the US have been leading indirect negotiations between Israel and Hamas, but no agreement has been reached as Tel Aviv has refused to meet the Palestinian group's demands to end the war, withdraw troops from Gaza, and allow displaced Palestinians to return to the northern part of the enclave.

Patel added that Netanyahu confirmed his team will be at the upcoming cease-fire talks, and that they will be prepared to finalize the details for implementing the deal.

When asked whether he expects Hamas will be at the talks, Patel said: "Our partners in Qatar have assured us that they will work to have Hamas represented."

"Qatar has assured us that they will work to have Hamas represented there, and we fully expect these talks to move forward," he said when asked if the talks will happen whether Hamas is there or not.