Hamas’ political chief Ismail Haniyeh said in an April 15 press statement that the resistance group would retaliate should Israeli settlers’ attacks continue in Al-Aqsa Mosque, saying it would “defend Al-Aqsa at all costs” and outlined four demands for Israel:
- allow worshipers to access Al-Aqsa Mosque freely and not attack them inside the holy site
- release the detainees arrested at April 15 as well as those arrested earlier
- prevent any animal sacrifices inside the mosque, in reference to threats by extremist Jewish groups to carry out sacrifices at the mosque compound
- end the assassinations in Jenin, the nearby camp and throughout the West Bank
