Palestinian resistance movement, Hamas, announced the formation of a “popular army” in a bid to defend al-Aqsa mosque against the Israeli violations in the holy city of al-Quds.

Palestinian resistance movement, Hamas, announced the formation of a “popular army” in a bid to defend al-Aqsa mosque against the Israeli violations in the holy city of al-Quds.

At a ceremony at the Jabaliya refugee camp in the north of Gaza, , a spokesman for the Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas, said 2,500 recruits would form "the first section of the popular army for the liberation of Al-Aqsa and of Palestine".

Mohammed Abu Askar, a Hamas official, said those older than 20 could sign up "to be prepared for any confrontation" with Israel.

Hamas and other resistance groups confronted a brutal 50-day Israeli assault against the besieged strip, which resulted in the deaths of 2,140 Palestinians and the injury of more than 12,000 others.

Frequent clashes between Palestinian protesters and Israeli police occur around the Al-Aqsa mosque in occupied east al-Quds.

Recent confrontations have been largely triggered by calls by Zionist extremists for Jews to pray in the holy mosque.