Stop Israeli attacks during Ramadan, Palestinian PM urges

Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammed Shtayyeh called on the international community to urge Israel to stop its attacks on Palestinians during the holy month of Ramadan.

Shtayyeh said the international community must stop Israeli military and extremist attacks around the Al-Aqsa Mosque, with far-right activists appearing to be planning on storming the mosque during Ramadan.

Israeli attacks during the holy month quickly escalate, with repression of Palestinian protests last year leading to Hamas firing rockets from Gaza.

"The Israeli escalation against the Palestinians, which included killing, torturing, arresting, and allowing settlers to commit crimes, poses great risks to security and stability in the region," Shtayyeh said during his weekly cabinet meeting.

Palestinians typically gather in their hundreds to perform prayers at Al-Aqsa during Ramadan, as well as break their fast and spend time around the neighbouring Damascus Gate in the evenings.

They are routinely banned from entering the Al-Aqsa Mosque, while far-right Israeli activists and settlers are allowed to march inside the sacred compound and attack Palestinians, usually with no consequences.

"Israel allows settlers to carry weapons and kill Palestinians just because they are suspects," Shtayyeh said.

He said he holds Israel "fully responsible for the serious consequences resulting from this escalation".

Ramadan coincides this year with the 74th anniversary of the Palestinian Nakba.

The period marks a year since a wave of Palestinian protests began, dubbed "The May Uprising", triggered by Israeli authorities' violent dispersal of worshipers at Al-Aqsa Mosque and attempts to displace Palestinian families in the Sheikh Jarrah neighbourhood.

After Hamas responded with rocket fire, Israeli airstrikes on Gaza killed around 250 Palestinians including dozens of children.

Tensions remain high in the city, following the killing of nine Palestinians in the West Bank and Jerusalem.