Hamas warns of escalating tensions at the Esplanade of the Mosques with new government

The Islamist movement Hamas, which de facto governs Gaza, warned in a meeting with the UN envoy for peace in the Middle East, Tor Wensland, of an expected escalation of tension in the Esplanade of the Mosques in Jerusalem when the new government takes office in Israel, the most right-wing in its history.

The movement's deputy head in Gaza, Jalil Hayya, told Wensland that the Israeli police controlling access to the esplanade "are pushing the situation out of control" and denounced the new government's "racist plans", Hamas said in a statement.

The compound, sacred to Muslims and Jews, is guarded by Jordan and is governed by a "status quo" that allows only Islamic worship, while Jews can only enter as visitors, as the nearby Wailing Wall is reserved for their prayers.

The Chief Rabbinate of Jerusalem forbids prayer there - they believe it is the site of the Second Temple, the holiest place in Judaism that only the Chief Rabbinate can enter, according to their own rules - but in recent years some rabbis have changed that doctrine and encourage their followers to pray there.

In general, advocates of Jewish prayer on the Esplanade of the Mosques - the Temple Mount for Jews - are aligned with the political movement of religious Zionism, which seeks to Judaise Jerusalem and advocates the annexation of the occupied Palestinian territories.

This movement, represented in three parties, was the big winner in the last elections and the great ally of former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in forming the government, with important ministries for them, such as National Security for the extremist Itamar Ben Gvir - who will control the police and security at the Esplanade - and Finance for Bezalel Smotrich.

Hamas officials warned that the repeated entry of settlers into the compound, which this year has reached record numbers and often leads to clashes between the Israeli police - who protect the settlers - and Palestinians, could repeat a military confrontation between the Palestinian factions and Israel, as happened in May 2021, an escalation that caused some 250 Gazan deaths.

"We watch with anger what is happening in Jerusalem and the West Bank. We will not relinquish our historic role of supporting the Palestinian people everywhere, despite the ongoing siege and aggression against the Gaza Strip," the Hamas statement said.

With 2022 being the deadliest year in the occupied West Bank since 2006, with 169 Palestinians killed there, tension on the Esplanade could lead to another escalation with Gaza militias, but also fuel more violence in the West Bank.

Hamas called on the international community, through the UN envoy, to prevent the policy of "double standards and take practical steps to stop Israeli aggression against the Palestinian people and their sanctities".

According to the Hamas statement, Wensland underlined the international "concern" following the results of the 1 November elections in Israel and the victory of extremist parties, because of the repercussions it could have on the conflict and the slim chances of a peaceful solution.