Hamas calls for 'day of rage' amid planned expansion of illegal Israeli settlements

Hamas has released a statement declaring 15 August a nationwide "day of rage" in response to the expansion of illegal Israeli settlements, along with intensifying plans to annex the occupied West Bank. 

The statement calls for an escalation of protests and "all forms of resistance" across all cities and other populated areas within the occupied West Bank, such as villages and refugee camps.

It comes amid the ongoing war and starvation in Gaza, along with recent plans to construct 3,400 new illegal Israeli settlement units. Hamas say that the annexation attempts will be quelled by “the people’s will and continued resistance”. The statement further calls on Palestinian factions and civil society groups to defend and support those living in areas threatened by settlement, land confiscation and annexation.