The Head of the Hamas political bureau, Ismail Haniyeh, has stressed that "the Palestinian people and the Islamic Ummah will defend and protect the blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque at all costs."

"In the face of Zionist thuggery and the storming of the blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque, there are only two options either to accept the occupation assault, its brutality, and its colonial settlers' animal slaughter in Al-Aqsa Mosque, or to consolidate and defend the Islamic character of Jerusalem and Al-Aqsa Mosque," he said, adding, “And we have chosen to defend our holy city and site regardless of sacrifices.”
He further stressed that "there is no place for invaders and occupiers in our holy Jerusalem and land, and we will win the struggle of will and identity no matter how long it takes."
This came as violent clashes broke out early Friday at Al-Aqsa Mosque after Israeli police stormed the holy site amid heavy firing of teargas bombs and rubber bullets.