Hamas calls for enlarging intifada, more victims in Israeli-Palestinian violence

The Hamas on Friday called for expanding the ongoing tensions in the West Bank and east Jerusalem to a larger popular intifada, as one more Palestinian was shot dead by Israeli troops in Hebron.

"I confirm that Gaza stands behind the battle for Jerusalem and al-Aqsa and stands behind the blessed intifada in spite of pain, siege and conspiracies," said Ismail Haneya, deputy chief of the Islamic Hamas movement.

"The battle of Jerusalem is the battle of Gaza and the intifada in the West Bank is the intifada of our people," he added. "We will always do the appropriate act in support for our people."

In the latest violence, Israeli troops shot and killed a young Palestinian man in the southern West Bank city of Hebron on Friday afternoon, after he stabbed an Israeli soldier, according to medics and Israeli sources.

Earlier Friday, Israeli police said they arrested a Palestinian suspect for stabbing a 14-year-old boy in Jerusalem. The boy was lightly injured.

Tensions have been going on in east Jerusalem and all over the West Bank between Israelis and Palestinians for more than a week. Nine Palestinians and four Israelis have died and about 1,000 people wounded.

Violent clashes flared after Hamas gunmen shot dead two Israeli settlers; a woman and her husband, near Nablus in northern West Bank and then another Palestinian stabbed and shot two other Israelis in the Old City of Jerusalem.

Over the past few days, Palestinians have carried out more than 10 stabbing attacks in Israel, east Jerusalem and the West Bank. Endit