Hamas calls on Palestinians to 'defend' al-Aqsa mosque

On the first Friday of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, Hamas has called on Palestinians to break the "siege" on Jerusalem's al-Aqsa mosque amid Israel's imposed restrictions on access to the site.

The group called on all Palestinians in occupied Jerusalem, the West Bank and Israel to "mobilise in general and travel to Al-Aqsa mosque" in order to defend it.

The group also called on its brigade members and "revolutionary youth" in Jerusalem and the West Bank to clash with Israeli soldiers.

"We call on our Arab and Islamic nation that every day and Friday of this month be an occasion for escalation in support of the steadfastness of our people in the Gaza Strip," they added.