Cairo: Al-Azhar Al-Sharif, Egypt’s largest Islamic scientific institution, has openly criticized Israel’s decision to take over Gaza City, labeling it as ‘an ineradicable stigma of shame’ for the international community and its institutions. The organization accused these bodies of failing to act against such actions that it considers criminal.

According to Islamic Republic News Agency, Al-Azhar’s statement, reported by Al-Masry Al-Youm newspaper, highlighted that Israel’s move demonstrates ‘an arrogant, violent policy of humiliating nations’ and a blatant disregard for international laws and charters. Al-Azhar expressed grave concerns that the seizure of Gaza is intended to erase the Palestinian identity from the territory, effectively removing it from the global map.

The institution called upon Arab, Islamic, and international entities to unite their efforts and apply pressure to avert what it termed a ‘historic catastrophe.’ It emphasized the necessity for a decisive response to Israel’s actions, warning that such measures could destabilize the entire region.

The condemnation comes in the wake of Israel’s war cabinet approving a plan on Friday to capture Gaza City and tighten its control over the Gaza Strip, which has already been met with widespread international criticism. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had previously declared the regime’s intention to ‘take control’ of the entire Gaza Strip, a region enduring relentless Israeli bombardment since October 2023.