Briefly

MIDDLE EAST

Palestine warns against Israelis visiting Al-Aqsa

The Palestinian Foreign Ministry warned on Saturday of the consequences of allowing Israeli settlers to visit the compound of the Al-Aqsa Mosque in the Old City of Jerusalem during the Second Jewish Passover on Sunday. The statement added that the Israeli government is responsible for the consequences should a conflict occur. Earlier on Saturday, Jewish "Temple Mount "groups called on their Jewish followers through social media platforms to enter Al-Aqsa collectively on Sunday to mark the anniversary of the Second Jewish Passover. The Palestinian Foreign Ministry called on the international community to intervene urgently and put pressure on the Israeli government.

NIGERIA

Forces kill 300 Boko Haram militants

At least 300 militants of the extremist group Boko Haram were killed by troops of the Multinational Joint Task Force on the fringes of Lake Chad, a spokesperson said on Saturday. In a statement issued in Nigeria's northeastern city of Maiduguri, Kamarudeen Adegoke said the militants were killed in 30 separate encounters in recent weeks, and the task force is appraising its operations to prepare for the next decisive stage. Adegoke said an increasing dependence on improvised explosive devices by the insurgents was noted and necessary countermeasures were proffered.

Agencies - Xinhua