Hamas calls for West Bank 'Day of Rage' against Israeli settler raids

Hamas has urged Palestinians to take to the streets in the West Bank on Friday in a "Day of Rage" against Israeli settler raids on the Al-Aqsa Mosque and Israel's forced expulsions of Palestinians from Jerusalem's Sheikh Jarrah neighbourhood.

The Gaza-based group warned in a statement on Tuesday that Israel's "aggression will be met by our people with further resistance and confrontation".

It called on Palestinians to take part in "large marches at every point of tension, block streets that pass through the West Bank and confront settlers" attempting to enter the Al-Aqsa compound with police escort.

This is likely a reference to the regular settler raids on the Al-Aqsa Mosque that have taken place under Israeli police protection.

Hamas' call came as Israeli forces this week continued to arrest Palestinians in the West Bank and within Israel following protests last month.

Israeli police on Thursday said they had arrested 2,142 Palestinians in recent weeks, with indictments issued against 285. Police said that 614 were still in custody, while the rest were released.

A ceasefire currently holds between Israel and Hamas, following Israel's 11-day bombardment of the Gaza Strip last month which killed more than 250 Palestinians, including dozens of children.

Since the ceasefire came in force towards the end of May, Israeli settlers and extremist groups have carried out regular raids on the Al-Aqsa Mosque, threatening the fragile truce.