Special report: Palestine-Israel Relations

    GAZA, March 11 (Xinhua) -- Hamas on Tuesday warned Israel against harming the al-Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem following reports that the Israeli authorities resumed excavations beneath the Muslim's third holiest site.

    "We warn against harming the al-Aqsa mosque and warns of the consequences of the moves that the Israeli occupation authorities make," said Taher al-Nounou, spokesman for the deposed Hamas administration in Gaza.

    "This could fly the whole region into a rage and provoke the feelings of all Muslims in the world," al-Nounou added. Meanwhile, Sami Abu Zuhri, a spokesman for Hamas, said the continuation of excavations was "a dangerous Israeli escalation threatens the fate of the al-Aqsa mosque. "Abu Zuhri also slammed the Palestinian Authority (PA) for not clearly announcing the suspension of peace talks in protest of the diggings. "The negotiations provide a cover for the occupation to keep on its crimes," he said.