Pakistan and seven other countries, including Egypt, Turkey, Indonesia, Jordan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE, jointly condemned Israeli Minister Itamar Ben Gvir's incursion into Al Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem.

The statement, issued by foreign ministers, denounced the 'provocative actions' including mass settler incursions, flag raising, and tent erection by Israeli forces, which they claimed violated international law and the historical status quo of the holy site.

The ministers emphasized that Israel has no sovereignty over occupied East Jerusalem and called for immediate access to the Old City for Muslim worshippers.They also urged the international community to halt Israel's illegal practices against Islamic and Christian holy sites.The incursion coincided with Tisha B’Av, a Jewish mourning day, and Ben Gvir's actions were seen as escalating tensions in the region.

The joint statement highlighted the need to preserve the sanctity of Al Aqsa Mosque, administered by Jordanian authorities under the Hashemite custodianship, and stressed the importance of maintaining the site's religious and legal status quo.