KATHMANDU: The Embassy of Israel in Nepal has expressed deep concern and strongly condemned what it described as a missile attack carried out by the Islamic Republic of Iran targeting Jerusalem, including areas near several major religious sites in the Old City during the holy month of Ramadan.
In a press release issued on Tuesday, the embassy said the missiles were fired toward Jerusalem on the night of March 16. According to the statement, debris from the missiles struck within or near the compounds of key religious sites in the Old City.
The embassy said debris fell within the compound of the Al-Aqsa Mosque, near the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, the Temple Mount, and close to the Western Wall.
“The Iranian regime is targeting Jerusalem, a city of profound religious significance and home to more than one million Jews, Muslims and Christians, thereby putting civilians and the holy sites of the three religions at risk,” the embassy said.
The statement further said that launching missiles during Ramadan toward sites sacred to Islam demonstrated what it described as the Iranian leadership’s disregard for religious sanctity.
The embassy also rejected allegations that Israel restricts Muslim freedom of worship at the holy sites, calling such claims baseless and an attempt to incite tensions.
According to the statement, Israel remains committed to protecting the holy sites of all faiths and ensuring that worshippers can practice their religion safely.
“The targeting of Jerusalem’s holy sites during a sacred religious period is an unacceptable act that endangers human lives as well as the shared values of respect, coexistence and religious freedom,” the embassy said.
The embassy reiterated its commitment to promoting peace and safeguarding sacred spaces for people of all religions.
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