Nigeria, March 15 -- The African Union Commission has condemned the closure of the Al-Aqsa Mosque by Israeli authorities, warning that the move could escalate tensions across the region.

The union, in a joint statement issued on Thursday, alongside the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and the League of Arab States (LAS), declared that closing the mosque is a violation of the Palestinians' rights.

The signatories called the continued closure of the "blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque" to Palestinians Muslim worshippers provocative, while emphasising the importance of the month of Ramadan to the worshippers.

The Al-Aqsa Mosque, located in the Old City of Jerusalem, is considered the third-holiest site in Islam. It has frequently been a foca...