Israel-Hamas conflict: Hamas calls for protest at Al-Aqsa, West Bank today

As the Israel-Hamas conflict intensifies, Gaza’s ruling Hamas militants have now called on Palestinians to rise today (on Friday) to stage a protest at Israel’s bombardment of the enclave, urging Palestinians to march to East Jerusalem’s Al-Aqsa Mosque, which is the third holiest place in Islam, and clash with the Israeli troops in the occupied […]

Author
Edited By: Alina Khan
Follow us:

As the Israel-Hamas conflict intensifies, Gaza’s ruling Hamas militants have now called on Palestinians to rise today (on Friday) to stage a protest at Israel’s bombardment of the enclave, urging Palestinians to march to East Jerusalem’s Al-Aqsa Mosque, which is the third holiest place in Islam, and clash with the Israeli troops in the occupied West Bank.

1,500 Palestinians killed after Israel’s retaliation

Since Hamas’ October 07 surprise attack, Israel has been bombing Gaza with air strikes and artillery fire in retaliation, killing more than 1,500 Palestinians so far. Meanwhile, the Hamas rampage in Israel this week has killed at least 1,300 people, resulting in the deadliest attack on civilians in Israeli history.

According to Palestinian officials, the Gaza violence has reignited in East Jerusalem and in the West Bank where Israeli troops have killed at least 34 Palestinians during clashes since Saturday’s land-sea-air attack.

Hamas calls for protest at Al-Aqsa Mosque

In a statement calling for a “general mobilisation,” Hamas urged Palestinians to protest in the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, which is one of the Middle East’s most volatile holy sites and stay there throughout Friday, when Muslims hold large weekly prayers.

The compound is Islam’s third holiest site after Mecca and Medina and the most sacred to Jews, who refer to it as the Temple Mount. Clashes at the compound helped set off an 11-day Israel-Gaza war in May 2021.

Hamas also urged Palestinians in the West Bank to ‘demonstrate, mobilise and clash’ with Israeli troops and settlers.

Israel’s military, which has also traded blows in recent days with militants over its northern border in Syria and Lebanon, had no immediate comment.