Jerusalem, August 14 (RHC)-- Israel’s’ far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir has joined right-wing Israeli activists at Jerusalem’s Al-Aqsa Mosque.

Ben-Gvir has now given a speech to fellow marchers at the compound, telling them they have made “significant progress” in gaining “sovereignty” over the site, which Israeli law prohibits Jews from praying in.

The right-wing minister also used the occasion to underline his hardline stance against Gaza ceasefire negotiations, saying Israel should push towards full victory, bringing Hamas “to its knees” rather than send negotiators to another round of talks.

Ben-Gvir regularly calls to change the “status quo” governing Al-Aqsa, which many Israelis refer to as the “Temple Mount” -- a position rejected by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and many in his cabinet.

Observers say that the scenes of the far-right Israeli leader against the backdrop of one of Islam’s holiest sites is unlikely to help any future negotiations on a Gaza ceasefire that may or may not happen.