Palestinian Minister of Awqaf and Religious Affairs Sheikh Youssef Id'eis called on international institutions, especially the UNESCO, to include old mosques in the Palestinian territories in the list of protected areas, especially historic ones which constantly get targeted by the Israeli occupation. 

Id'eis' statements came during his visit to Omar Ibn Al Khattab mosque in Qalqilya city Thursday, one day after Israeli occupation forces and archaeologists stormed the mosque to examine its old foundations. 

Id'eis stated that several Palestinian mosques and holy Islamic sites are under threat due to the greedy ambitions of the Israeli occupation which is trying to wipe out Palestinian history and identity. 

Omar Ibn Al Khattab mosque was built in the late years of the Ottoman era and is considered to be one of Qalqilya's oldest mosques.