Hamas urges "day of rage" marking 1 year of "al-Quds" Intifada

The Islamic Hamas movement on Thursday called for a "day of rage" on Friday in the West Bank and Jerusalem to mark one year of what it termed as "the Intifada of al-Quds."

Hamas said in an emailed press statement that the movement calls on all the Palestinians to take to the streets and points of tension and friction in West Bank towns and villages on Friday.

"We call on our outraged people to ignite confrontations in the face of the coward soldiers of the occupation," the statement said. "This is to show that the choice of the Palestinians is the choice of resistance and Intifada."

The latest wave of violence between Israel and the Palestinians that started almost a year ago has left 231 Palestinians and 40 Israelis, according to official figures.

"It has been one year and our people still sticking to carrying on with resistance against the occupiers. Our resistance is successful because it caused pain to the enemy," said the statement.

The Hamas statement did not link the call for a "day of rage" with the funeral of former Israeli President Shimon Peres, which is scheduled for Friday, in Jerusalem. Endit