RAMALLAH, July 15, 2017 (WAFA) – The Palestinian government Saturday warned that Israeli punitive measures against Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem are a cause for deep concern.

Government spokesman Yousef Mahmoud said in a statement that the government was “following with deep concern” the Israeli measures against the Muslim holy place that could “endanger the status quo at Al-Aqsa Mosque and occupied Jerusalem.”

He said such acts could only ‘lead to further deterioration” in the situation.

In an unprecedented step, Israel closed Al-Aqsa Mosque and banned the Friday prayer following a nearby attack that left three Palestinians and two Israeli policemen dead.

Three Palestinians from Umm al-Fahm, a town inside Israel, attacked policemen outside the gates to the mosque killing two officers. Police chased the three inside the compound and shot them dead. The compound was then declared closed and prayer was banned.

Mahmoud said the Israeli measures are “a serious infringement on houses of worship and the sanctity of one of the holiest places for Arabs and Muslims, in addition to being a flagrant violation of all international laws and conventions.”

He called on the international community to quickly intervene to put a stop to these Israeli measures.

Al-Aqsa Mosque remained closed Saturday for the second day in a row.

M.K.