Pakistan on Tuesday strongly condemned the storming of the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound and the raising of Israel’s flag within its courtyard by illegal Israeli settlers, calling it a blatant violation of international law.

Israeli occupiers had stormed the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in occupied East Jerusalem on Tuesday, raising the Israeli flag during the incursion amid escalating tensions across the West Bank. The occupiers had forced their way into the site through the Mughrabi Gate, one of the mosque’s entrances, under heavy police protection, according to a reporter.

Videos circulating on social media had shown occupiers performing Talmudic rituals and offering prayers aloud, including what is referred to as “epic prostration”, particularly in the eastern area of the compound. Photos shared online had also shown two occupiers raising the Israeli flag inside the compound, with the Dome of the Rock visible in the background.

In a statement, the Foreign Office said Pakistan condemned the incident in the strongest terms.

“These reprehensible acts constitute a blatant violation of international law, as well as of the sanctity and inviolability of the holy site,” the statement said, adding that such provocative steps risked further escalating tensions in the region.

Read: Zionist occupiers raise Israel’s flag as they storm Jerusalem’s Al-Aqsa Mosque

Pakistan called for all possible measures to protect holy sites under Israeli occupation and to end the “impunity of illegal settlers operating under its patronage”.

Reaffirming its position, Pakistan said it continued to stand in solidarity with the Palestinian people and supported their right to worship.

The statement reiterated Pakistan’s support for the establishment of an independent, viable and contiguous State of Palestine based on the pre-1967 borders, with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital.

Al-Aqsa Mosque is the world’s third-holiest site for Muslims. Jews call the area Temple Mount, claiming it was the site of two Jewish temples in ancient times.

Read More: Israel’s Ben-Gvir storms Al-Aqsa Mosque again

Since 2003, Israeli police have unilaterally allowed the occupiers to enter the mosque daily during two periods — morning and afternoon prayers — except on Fridays and Saturdays.

Palestinians say Israel is intensifying efforts to Judaise East Jerusalem, where the Al-Aqsa Mosque is located, and erase its Arab and Islamic identity.

The Palestinians regard East Jerusalem as the capital of their future state, based on international resolutions that do not recognise Israel’s occupation of the city in 1967 or its annexation in 1980.