Hamas, Jihad urge escalation of protests
Hamas and Islamic Jihad urged an escalation of protests in the West Bank on Sunday, against the Zionist assault on Palestinian religious sites.
Islamic Jihad staged a mass rally in Gaza denouncing renewed violence at the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in Jerusalem and Zionist recent decision to lay claim to two holy sites in Bethlehem and Al Khalil.
Islamic Jihad leader Muhammad Al-Hindi told the assembled crowd that Israel “only understands the language of force. This settlement, called Israel, cannot intimidate our people and our resistance through aggression.
The Zionist forces stormed the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, home to Islam’s third holiest site, early on Sunday in response to reports of stone throwing. Right-wing Zionist groups have called for the destruction of the mosque, which sits atop the site believed by some Jews to be an ancient Jewish temple.
One week earlier, the Zionist occupation decided to list the Ibrahimi Mosque in Al Khlil and Rachel’s Tomb in Bethlehem as heritage sites, sparking days of Palestinian protests.
Hamas also issued a statement condemning Zionist forces’ intrusion into the Al-Aqsa compound earlier on Sunday.
Hamas spokesman Fawzi Barhoum said the Zionist entity demonstrated its desire “to impose Jewish control over Jerusalem and the holy Al-Aqsa Mosque paving the way for the establishment of a Jewish, racist, extremist state.”
Barhum added, “to our deep regret, this assault continues under an Arab, Islamic, and international silence over these events, including the Judaization and destruction of Jerusalem and Al-Aqsa.”
He called on Palestinians “to continue the intifada and the anger that began in Al Khlil, Jerusalem and throughout Palestinian lands.” He also called for a “popular, Arab and Islamic uprising.”
Both Hamas and Islamic Jihad reiterated their calls on the Palestinian Authority to sever security ties with the Zionist entity.
Barhoum urged the PA “to halt any direct or indirect talks with the occupation and to unleash the Palestinian resistance to protect our land and holy sites.”
