An Israeli minister calls for “erasing” the month of Ramadan[

An extremist Israeli minister called for the “eradication” of the month of Ramadan and not to fear the escalation of tension in the West Bank and East Jerusalem during this month, as a result of the war on the Gaza Strip.

Israeli Heritage Minister Amihai Eliyahou told the occupation army’s radio: “The term called Ramadan must be eradicated, and (eradicate) our fear of this month.”

Eliyahou is a minister from the far-right “Jewish Power” party led by Minister of National Security Itamar Ben-Gvir. Eliyahou is known for his extremist statements against Palestinians, including his call to drop a nuclear bomb on Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.

Recently, security leaks from the occupation indicated fears of the situation escalating in the West Bank and occupied East Jerusalem during Ramadan, as a result of the Israeli occupation’s war on Gaza and restrictions the Tel Aviv government intends to impose on Al-Aqsa Mosque during Ramadan.

Israeli media outlets say that the US administration is pressuring Tel Aviv to reach a deal with Hamas regarding a prisoner exchange and a ceasefire in Gaza before the upcoming Ramadan, which begins in about 10 days.

On Thursday evening, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said it was “premature” to say that Tel Aviv had reached an agreement on a prisoner exchange deal with the Hamas movement.

Currently, negotiations are underway between Palestinian factions and the occupation mediated by Egypt, Qatar, and the United States to reach a ceasefire in Gaza release Israeli detainees and Palestinian prisoners, and support humanitarian conditions in the besieged Strip.

A ceasefire between Hamas and the occupation prevailed for a week until December 1, 2023, during which there was a cessation of hostilities, a prisoner exchange, and extremely limited humanitarian aid delivered to Gaza, mediated by Qatar, Egypt, and the US.

Tel Aviv estimates that there are about 134 Israeli prisoners in Gaza, while it holds in its prisons at least 8,800 Palestinians, according to official sources from both sides.

Since October 7, 2023, the occupation has been waging a devastating war on the Gaza Strip, leaving tens of thousands of civilian casualties, mostly children and women, as well as an unprecedented humanitarian catastrophe and massive infrastructure destruction, leading Tel Aviv to face charges of “genocide” before the International Court of Justice.