The top leader of the Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas has called for a new uprising against Israel in the wake of US President Donald Trump's recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital, Al Jazeera reported.
Ismail
Haniyeh spoke to his followers in the Gaza Strip on Thursday and called
the US decision an “aggression on our people and a war on our
sanctuaries.” He said that the uprising should begin on Friday, added
the Doha-based broadcaster.
“We want the uprising to last and continue to let Trump and the occupation regret this decision,” added Haniyeh.
In pictures: Outpour of anger in Palestine as Trump recognises Jerusalem as Israeli capital
A protester burns an Israeli flag printed on a piece of paper during a demonstration against the US and Israel in front of the US consulate in Istanbul on Wednesday.
Palestinian youths set tires ablaze during a protest against Trump's decision to recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, in Gaza City, on Thursday.
A giant US flag screened alongside Israel's national flag by the Jerusalem municipality on the walls of the old city.
A young boy leans on a sign (C) reading "There is no you or me, there is Jerusalem" during a demonstration at Fatih Mosque in Istanbul.
Palestinian demonstrators burn the US flag in Bethlehem's Manger Square in protest.
A woman holds a sign during a demonstration against the US and Israel at Fatih Mosque in Istanbul.
Palestinian demonstrators stand on posters of the US president in Bethlehem's Manger Square in protest to him declaring Jerusalem as Israel's capital.
A Palestinian man walks past closed shops in the West Bank city of Nablus as a general strike was called following Trump's decision to recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, on Thursday.
A protester holds a Turkish flag near the words "Killer USA" spray-painted on a wall during a demonstration in front of the US consulate in Istanbul.
Palestinian protestors burn tires as they wave Palestinian flags and pictures of late Palestinian president Yasser Arafat during a protest at the main Square in Gaza City on Wednesday.
Protesters wave Palestinian flags and chant slogans during a demonstration in front of the US consulate in Istanbul.
Israelis watch as Trump announces that the United States recognises Jerusalem as the capital of Israel in the coastal city of Ashkelon, Israel.
A protester spray-paints "Free Palaestine" on a wall during a demonstration in front of the US consulate in Istanbul.
Palestinian
shops in east Jerusalem, including the Old City, as well as in the West
Bank were largely shuttered and schools closed on Thursday after a
general strike was called.
The Israeli military on
Thursday deployed hundreds of more troops to the occupied West Bank amid
uncertainty over the fallout from Trump's decision.
Hamas'
ability to carry out attacks has been limited after Israel imposed a
blockade on the Gaza Strip and arrested many of Hamas' supporters in the
West Bank. Even so, Hamas possesses a large arsenal of rockets in Gaza
capable of striking many areas in Israel.
'The right thing to do'
In a much controversial move, Trump on Wednesday recognised
the disputed city of Jerusalem as the Israeli capital and announced to
shift the US embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.
“I have
determined that it is time to officially recognise Jerusalem as the
capital of Israel,” the US leader had said in a speech from the White
House. “It's the right thing to do.”
Trump's announcement was followed by severe global criticism and warnings that the move would jeopardise the regional peace and create unrest among the Muslim block of the world.
For
Trump, the proclamation on Wednesday was an important way to make good
on a pledge to his political base, which includes evangelical Christians
and pro-Israel Republicans eager for such a move.
“While
previous presidents have made this a major campaign promise, they
failed to deliver,” the president had declared while announcing his
decision. “Today, I am delivering.”
