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.