Abbas decries arrest of al-Quds Grand Mufti

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas condemned on Wednesday Israeli forces' arrest of Grand Mufti of Al-Quds Sheikh Mohamed Hussein. Abbas asked the Israeli government to immediately set him free, deeming his arrest as a blatant aggression on the freedom of worship. Presidential spokesman Nabil Abu Rudeina warned of the grave repercussions of Israel's attacks on Palestinian people and sanctities, particularly Al-Aqsa Mosque. The spokesman also urged the international community to swiftly intervene to bring an end to Israel's escalations to avoid a whirlpool of violence in the region.