The Russian Foreign Ministry on Saturday (8/5) condemned the Israeli attack on Palestinian civilians at the al-Aqsa Mosque compound. Russia is asking all parties to refrain from escalating the escalation of violence. 

"We strongly condemn attacks on civilians. We ask all parties to refrain from any move that is fraught with escalation of violence," said a statement from the Foreign Ministry, reported by Anadolu Agency, Sunday (9/5).

Russia reaffirmed its position that, the seizure of land and property located on it, as well as the creation of settlements by Israel in occupied Palestinian territories, including East Jerusalem, has no legal force. "Such actions are a violation of international law and impede the achievement of a peaceful settlement based on the establishment of two states - Palestine and Israel," the Russian Foreign Ministry said.

Israeli forces attacked the al-Aqsa Mosque, the Damascus Gate in the Old City, and the Sheikh Jarrah district of East Jerusalem on Friday (7/5) night. A total of 205 Palestinians were injured in the attack. Israeli forces attack muslims who are doing taraweeh prayers at the al-Aqsa Mosque. 

Israeli forces fired stun grenades, tear gas and rubber-coated bullets to disperse Muslim worshippers from the al-Aqsa Mosque, the world's third holiest site for Muslims, on Friday night. Tensions have also risen in Sheikh Jarrah district recently. Israeli settlers swarmed the area after an Israeli court ordered the eviction of a Palestinian family.

Since 1956, a total of 37 Palestinian families have lived in 27 homes in the neighborhood. However, illegal Jewish settlers have tried to push them out under legislation approved by the Israeli parliament in 1970.

Israel occupied East Jerusalem during the 1967 Arab-Israeli war. Israeli Zionists annexed the entire city in 1980, an act never recognized by the international community. The West Bank, including East Jerusalem, is seen as occupied territory under international law, making all Jewish settlements there illegal.