UN coordinator, Hamas head discuss tensions in Palestine

By Gulsen Topcu

GAZA, Palestine (AA) - The UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process discussed the latest developments in the occupied West Bank, Jerusalem, and the Gaza Strip with Hamas’s political chief during a telephone call Friday.

The Palestinian resistance group, Hamas, said Tor Wennesland informed Ismail Haniyeh about meetings he held with regional and international parties regarding tension that mounted in Jerusalem, the occupied West Bank and Gaza Strip.

Wennesland said he conveyed three important messages to Israel which were the closure of Al-Aqsa Mosque to non-Muslims until the end of Ramadan, termination of raids and attacks in the West Bank and the de-escalation of tensions, it said in a statement.

The envoy also touched on contacts with the Jordanian administration as part of preserving the historical status quo of holy places in Jerusalem.

Haniyeh praised Egypt, Qatar, the UN and Wennesland’s efforts, noting that they show the seriousness of the current situation.

He warned that if tension increases further in Gaza and Masjid al-Aqsa, things might get out of control.

Since the creation of the illegal separation wall in 2002, the holy city of Jerusalem has been isolated on all sides and visiting by West Bank-based Palestinians has become much more complicated and limited.

Israel prevents Palestinians from the West Bank from reaching Jerusalem except on Fridays in Ramadan. Moreover, it does not allow Palestinians in the Gaza Strip to visit the city throughout the year.