Hamas Warns Israel against Continuing Military Escalation
"Israel's escalation in Gaza, the bombardment of the resistance positions and violations against Jerusalem and Al-Aqsa Mosque are part of its aggressive policies on our people," Hamas spokesman Fawzi Barhoum said in a statement, Anadolu Agency reported.
The warning came hours after Israel struck several Hamas positions in Gaza following rocket fire from Gaza.
Barhoum held Israel responsible for the consequences of what he described as “racist provocations” by Israeli soldiers and settlers against Palestinians in Jerusalem and Al-Aqsa Mosque.
"All these ‘crimes’ and violations will not deter us from continuing all forms of struggle to defend Jerusalem al-Quds and Al-Aqsa Mosque,” he said, going on to call on the Arab League, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and Muslim nations to shoulder their responsibilities towards defending the Palestinian people.
Tension has been running high in recent days amid clashes between Palestinians and Israeli forces and settlers in Jerusalem al-Quds.
Several extremist Jewish groups have called for attacking Palestinians in response to what they claim as Palestinian attacks against Israelis in the city.
