The Government has strongly condemned the continued incursions by Israeli settlers into the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, accusing Israel of violating international law and undermining the site's religious and historical significance.

In a statement issued on Friday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs also condemned the raising of the Israeli flag inside the mosque compound under the protection of Israeli occupation forces, describing the actions as deliberate provocations against one of Islam's holiest sites.

The Government said repeated incursions, together with restrictions imposed on worshippers seeking access to Al-Aqsa Mosque, breach international law and threaten the longstanding status quo governing the site.

Additionally, the Maldives called on the international community to take urgent and decisive action to hold Israel accountable for what it described as continued gross human rights violations and disregard for its international obligations.

Reaffirming its support for the Palestinian cause, the Government also urged the international community to protect Islamic holy sites and uphold the rights of the Palestinian people, including their right to self-determination and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state based on the pre-1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.