Protesters in Gaza denounce US announcement declaring Jerusalem capital of Israel, as Palestinians call for a response.
Protests broke out in the Gaza Strip in response to US President Donald Trump’s decision to recognise Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, as Palestinian leaders called for three days of rage against the move.
Hundreds of Palestinians took to the streets in Gaza City on Wednesday, carrying banners denouncing Trump, hours ahead of his declaration that will also see the US embassy move from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.
The declaration comes amid global condemnation of the decision.
Speaking to Al Jazeera from Gaza, Hamas leader Ismail Haniya described Trump’s decision as a “flagrant aggression”.
“This decision is an uncalculated gamble that will know no limit to the Palestinian, Arab and Muslim reaction,” he said.
“We call for stopping this decision fully because this will usher in the beginning of a time of terrible transformations, not just on the Palestinian level but on the region as a whole. This decision means the official announcement of the end of the peace process.”
‘Ball of fire’
Al Jazeera’s Bernard Smith, reporting from Gaza, said people did not bother to wait for the announcement and spontaneously gathered to protest against the plans.
“This is an indication of what might come after Trump speaks later today. People here compared the protests to a small ball of fire that would roll and turn into a much larger ball later on,” Smith said.
“The move by the US seems to have further unified the Palestinians. Hamas and the smaller factions in Gaza have given their full support to Mahmoud Abbas’ Fattah movement in their opposition to the US move. There is full unity on the Palestinian streets behind this cause,” he added.
Source: Palestinians call ‘days of rage’ over US Jerusalem move | News | Al Jazeera
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