Cairo: The Foreign Ministers of the Arab Republic of Egypt, the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, the Republic of Indonesia, the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, the Republic of Turkey, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and the State of Qatar have issued a joint statement condemning the Israeli authorities' ongoing closure of the gates of Al-Aqsa Mosque during Ramadan.

According to State Information Service Egypt, the ministers criticized the security restrictions on access to Jerusalem's Old City and its worship sites. They argued these measures violate international law and humanitarian law, as well as disrupt the historical and legal status quo and the principle of unfettered access to worship.

The ministers expressed strong opposition to what they describe as illegal measures and provocative practices by Israel at Al-Aqsa Mosque. They emphasized that Israel lacks sovereignty over Jerusalem and its religious sites.

The statement reiterated that Al-Aqsa Mosque and Al-Haram Al-Sharif are exclusively Muslim worship areas. The Jerusalem Waqf Department and Al-Aqsa Mosque Affairs, under the Jordanian Ministry of Awqaf, hold exclusive jurisdiction over the site.

The ministers urged Israel to cease closing the mosque gates, stop obstructing worshippers, lift restrictions in Jerusalem's Old City, and allow Muslim worshippers access to the mosque.

They also called for international action to compel Israel to stop its violations and illegal activities against holy sites in Jerusalem.