Jerusalem / TEH: On Wednesday, an American delegation will start a visit to the region to discuss the tension in the Palestinian territories.
“Acting Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs Yael Lambert will travel to Jordan, Israel, the West Bank and Egypt from April 19 to 26,” the US State Department said in a written statement sent to Anadolu Agency.
She added: “Lambert engaged with senior leaders in the region to discuss the issue of easing tensions and ending the cycle of violence in Israel, the West Bank and Gaza.”
She indicated that the US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Israeli and Palestinian Affairs Hadi Amr will join Acting Secretary Lambert.
During the past two days, US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken had telephone conversations with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, Israeli Foreign Minister Yair Lapid and Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi.
And the US State Department had previously announced Friday, in a written statement, a copy of which was received by Anatolia, that it is “deeply concerned about the increase in violence in the Al-Haram Al-Sharif (Al-Aqsa Mosque) in Jerusalem.”
It called on “all parties to exercise restraint, avoid provocative actions and rhetoric, and preserve the current historical situation in the Haram al-Sharif.”
She urged Palestinian and Israeli officials to “cooperate to work to reduce tensions and ensure everyone’s safety.”
Many Arab, Islamic and international countries had criticized the Israeli practices in Al-Aqsa Mosque and called for their cessation.
Since last Sunday, hundreds of settlers have stormed Al-Aqsa Mosque, coinciding with the Jewish Passover holiday, which began last Friday evening, and continues until Thursday.
This angered the Palestinians, who called for a halt to the incursions.
The Palestinian factions in the Gaza Strip also threatened to respond to the continued “Israeli violations against Al-Quds and Al-Aqsa Mosque.”
