The Government of the Maldives has condemned the storming of the Al-Aqsa mosque by Israeli forces.
In a press statement published by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Maldives condemned Israeli forces for attacking and arresting unarmed Palestinian worshipers during the holy month of Ramadan. The government stated that the actions of Israel in the Al-Aqsa mosque and the occupied Palestinian territories are a clear violation of international law and the relevant United Nations (UN) Security Council and General Assembly resolutions. It stated that such actions undermine all efforts to achieve peace and stability in the region.
Furthermore, the government reiterated its unwavering support for the people of Palestine and their legitimate and just struggle to achieve a free, independent, and sovereign state. It stated that a lasting peaceful resolution of the conflict can only be realized through a two-state solution, with an independent and sovereign State of Palestine, based on the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital.
The Palestine Red Crescent stated at least 152 Palestinians were reportedly injured in clashes with Israeli riot police on April 15 at the Al-Aqsa mosque compound. The confrontations at the sacred site carry the risk of sparking a wider conflict between Israelis and Palestinians, as the Al-Aqsa compound is the most sensitive site in the generations-old conflict.