Doha, June 1: Qatar on Monday condemned the storming of Al-Aqsa Mosque by Israeli extremists, terming their actions “flagrant violation of international law and unacceptable provocation of the feelings of millions of Muslims around the world.”

It stated that Al-Aqsa Mosque is a place of worship of Muslims and all unilateral actions aimed at altering the historical and legal status quo in Jerusalem and its sanctities are null and void under international law.

“The State of Qatar condemns the storming of the blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque by Israeli extremists, along with the provocative actions carried out under the protection of the occupation forces, describing it as a flagrant violation of international law, an unacceptable provocation of the feelings of millions of Muslims around the world, and a dangerous attempt to impose a new reality in the occupied Jerusalem and its Islamic and Christian sanctities,” the Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement.

“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs stresses that Al-Aqsa Mosque is an exclusively Muslim place of worship and that all unilateral measures aimed at altering the historical and legal status quo in Jerusalem and its sanctities are null and void under international law,” it added.

Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs warned that the continuation of such violations and repeated provocations could cause further violence and escalation in the region, undermining prospects for de-escalation and stability.

“The Ministry warns that the continuation of such violations and repeated provocations could fuel further violence and escalation in the region, undermining prospects for de-escalation and stability. It renews its call on the international community to act urgently and compel Israel, as the occupying power, to stop its ongoing violations against the Palestinian people and their holy sites and to comply with relevant international resolutions,” the statement said.

“The Ministry also reiterates the State of Qatar’s firm and supportive stance on the Palestinian cause and the steadfastness of the brotherly Palestinian people, based on ending the occupation and enabling the Palestinian people to attain their legitimate rights, foremost among them the establishment of an independent state on the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital,” it added.

Qatar’s statement comes after settlers raised Israeli flags on the steps leading to the Dome of the Rock and sang Israeli national anthem under police protection. The settlers the mosque from Al-Maghrabah Gate, which is fully controlled by Israeli authorities, Arab News reported.

Frequent clashes, including Israeli settler raids and restrictions on Muslim worshippers, have been witnessed in the Al-Aqsa Mosque since East Jerusalem was occupied in June 1967, Arab News reported. The mosque is administered by Jordan’s Ministry of Awqaf, which has the legal authority to manage the compound and control access. Jordan warned settlers against taking actions that aim to create a new reality that would temporally and spatially divide the landmark.

Jerusalem: The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) on Sunday said it had captured Beaufort Castle after entering the Beaufort Ridge and Wadi al-Saluki areas in southern Lebanon.

According to the IDF, the operation is focused on establishing operational control over the Beaufort Ridge and the Wadi al-Saluki area, as well as degrading Hezbollah’s capabilities in the region.

“Last night, our heroic fighters captured the Beaufort Castle. They proudly raised the flag of the State of Israel and the flag of the Golani Brigade there,” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday.

“I remind you that 44 years ago, this place was a symbol of a heroic battle by our fighters, but it was also a symbol of deep division among us. Today, we returned to Beaufort differently. We returned united, determined and stronger than ever,” he added.

According to the IDF, Hezbollah directed military and combat activities from the Beaufort Ridge and carried out numerous attacks from the area.

Prime Minister Netanyahu also said he had instructed the IDF to expand its incursion into Lebanon.

“Our forces have crossed the Litani River. They took dominant terrain. They captured the Beaufort Ridge. And now my instruction is to deepen and expand our hold on places that were under Hezbollah’s control,” Netanyahu said.

He also described the capture of Beaufort as a dramatic stage and a significant shift in the policy being pursued by his government.

“We have broken the barrier of fear. We are taking the initiative, we are operating on all fronts — in Syria, in Gaza, in Lebanon; we have established security zones beyond our borders to protect our communities,” he added.

“I am with you. The entire nation of Israel is with you. It will take more time, but we will restore security to the residents of the North, just as we did for the residents of the South,” he told brigade commanders on Friday.

Quetta, May 27: Several leading human rights organisations and student bodies on Wednesday strongly condemned the escalating wave of enforced disappearances of Baloch civilians, including women, across Pakistan, allegedly carried out by security forces, saying that for many affected families, Eid has turned into a period of grief, uncertainty and painful separation from their loved ones.

According to the Baloch Students Council (BSC) of Pakistan’s Punjab province, multiple students affiliated with the organisation’s Punjab and Islamabad chapters have been forcibly disappeared, leaving their families without any credible information regarding their detention or whereabouts.

Expressing grave concern, the student body said that the dire situation not only causes severe mental anguish for the affected families but also raises serious questions regarding “fundamental human and legal principles”.

“On the occasion of Eid al-Adha, while people around the world are celebrating with their families, the parents, siblings, and loved ones of the forcibly disappeared Baloch students are immersed in the sorrow of separation from their dear ones. For these families, the day of Eid has become a symbol of waiting, uncertainty, and grief,” the BSC, Punjab, stated.

Meanwhile, another Baloch woman, Habiba Peerjan, a resident of the Nazarabad Tump region in Balochistan, who is currently based in Karachi, was reportedly forcibly disappeared by Pakistani security forces on May 25 following a raid at her residence in Baldia Town.

According to the Baloch Women Forum, this marks her second enforced disappearance, as she was previously detained in May 2022 and released days later.

“The repeated targeting of Baloch women through enforced disappearances highlights a deeply troubling system of repression and collective punishment. It has created an atmosphere of fear and instability, leaving families in prolonged uncertainty without access to information, legal remedy or accountability,” the BWF stated.

Condemning the incident, Paank, the Baloch National Movement’s Human Rights Department, demanded the immediate and safe release of Habiba, while calling on the Pakistani authorities to end the ongoing practice of enforced disappearances and harassment of families in Balochistan and Karachi.

Pakistani forces also reportedly carried out large-scale search operations in several parts of Balochistan on Monday, during which multiple civilians were taken into custody in overnight raids.

Citing sources, The Balochistan Post reported that Pakistani forces forcibly disappeared a shopkeeper identified as Saif-ur-Rehman during a late-night raid in the Doctor Colony area of Khuzdar district.

Reports further suggest that six more individuals were picked up in separate operations across the district, although their identities remain unconfirmed.

Additionally, Pakistani forces, along with Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) personnel, reportedly conducted a large-scale search operation overnight in the Windar area of the Lasbela district.

Residents alleged that security forces conducted house-to-house searches during which incidents of assault, vandalism and looting occurred.

Several civilians were reportedly taken into custody in Windar during the operation, with their current whereabouts remaining unknown.