(MSN) In a video statement, the former leader of Hamas called for a global day of jihad on Friday, Oct. 13, simultaneously praising the work of the Hamas militants who invaded Israel over the weekend, slaughtering hundreds and sparking a war that has led to over 2,200 deaths — including 25 Americans.
“[We must] head to the squares and streets of the Arab and Islamic world on Friday,” Khaled Meshaal said in the video, which was released to Reuters. He called upon his “brothers and sisters” in Jordan, Syria, Lebanon and Egypt to take action and rally around the cause on Friday in support of their Palestinian brethren.
Meshaal, who now heads the organization’s diaspora office, called Friday “a moment of truth” and referred to the day as the beginning of “the Al-Aqsa Flood.”
Demonstrators rally and march through downtown to show support for the Palestinian people© Getty Images
“We declare next Friday ‘The Friday of the Al-Aqsa Flood’ as a day of general mobilization in our Arab and Islamic world and among the free people of the world,” he said. “It is a day to rally support, offer aid and participate actively. It is a day to expose the crimes of the occupation, isolate it and foil its aggressive schemes. It is a day to demonstrate our love for Palestine, Jerusalem and Al-Aqsa. It is a day for sacrifice, heroism and dedication and to earn the honor of defending the first Qibla of Muslims, the third holiest mosque, and the ascension of the trusted Messenger.”
“Tribes of Jordan, sons of Jordan, brothers and sisters of Jordan… This is a moment of truth, and the borders are close to you. You all know your responsibility,” he added. “To all scholars who teach jihad… to all who teach and learn, this is a moment for the application (of theories).”
An Israeli soldier stands over the body of a Hamas militant© AP
He noted in the video that the day would serve as one of retaliation for Israeli raids at the Al-Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem. He also praised the work already done by Hamas, stating: “Oh my brothers and sisters, oh all my family and a quarter of this nation. These are your brothers and sisters who created this glory. They created this flood.”
The video was recorded in Qatar, where Meshaal and several other Hamas leaders are based. The countries of Jordan and Lebanon, which neighbor Israel, are home to the largest number of Palestinian refugees.
Smoke rises following Israeli airstrikes in Gaza City© AP
