Syria on Tuesday expressed its deep concern over Israeli digging operation in the surroundings of the al-Aqsa Mosque, saying it threatens the safety and sanctity of the Islamic holy site.

"Syria, which strongly condemns this aggression, sees those acts as a flagrant violation of the Islamic sanctities and Muslims ' feelings all over the Islamic world," the official SANA news agency quoted a foreign ministry source as saying.

"Syria stresses that respecting the others' sanctities is the most prominent feature of civilized societies or those who claim that, and this is what Israeli authorities, which do the condemned digging acts, lack," the source added.

The source said that Israel, as an occupying authorities, must protect the holy places according to the international law and Geneva Convention.

"Syria calls on the Organization of Islamic Conference to move, on behalf of the Islamic world to stop any act that threatens the safety and sanctity of the holy mosque of al-Aqsa," said the source.

The source noted that Syria also appeals to all international organizations and commissions to express their stance in condemning and halting the Israeli aggressions, holding Israel responsible for the dangerous repercussions of those acts.

Israel started excavation work on Tuesday near al-Magharba Gate, which is considered part of the Western Wall of al-Aqsa Mosque, the third holiest Islamic mosque.

The Gate is one of the relics of the Arab and Islamic history and its destruction would threaten the foundations of the holy mosque. The operation has stirred wide-spread anger from the Arab world.

Source: Xinhua