Hamas slams Israel for targeting peaceful protest

Spokesperson for Gaza-based group describes Israeli army’s actions as a "crime committed under US auspices”

Hamas slams Israel for targeting peaceful protest

Hamas on Friday condemned the Israeli army for targeting demonstrators in the West Bank and Gaza City.

Hazem Qassim, a spokesperson for the Gaza-based group, described the army’s actions against the peaceful protest as a "crime committed under U.S. auspices".

“We call on the Palestinian people to take to the streets in every city they live in to launch a new Intifada with a view to defending Jerusalem,” Qassim said in a statement.

On Wednesday, U.S. President Donald Trump announced his decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital as well as plans to move the U.S. embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to the contested city.