GAZA, July 27 (Xinhua) -- Islamic Hamas movement said Thursday the Israeli removal of all recent security facilities at Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem is a "historic victory" and the battle for the sake of the mosque is not over yet.
"The removal of electronic gates, cameras and all other measures" is an "achievement and a historic victory for our people," Hamas said in a statement.
The movement called on the Palestinians in the West Bank, Jerusalem and Israel to head to Al-Aqsa Mosque on Friday "to restore this great achievement," adding "our battle for the sake of Al-Aqsa Mosque is not over yet."
Israel removed on Thursday morning all recent security measures outside Al-Aqsa gates including the cameras, metal beams or bridges, and the metal bars. Palestinians celebrated their removal.
"This big achievement accomplished by our people in Jerusalem who sacrificed their blood for the sake of Al-Aqsa has broken the determination of the Zionist enemy to take control of the mosque," said the movement.
Meanwhile, Hamas movement's chief Ismail Haneya said in an emailed press statement that "the occupation (Israel) has been defeated by the will of our people and retreated before the guarders of Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem."
"Al-Quds (Jerusalem) is Arab and Islamic land, it will remain so and will never be divided. Everyone must understand that the Palestinians will never let anyone to dirty our Al-Aqsa Mosque," said Haneya.
He called on the Palestinian factions, mainly Fatah party of President Mahmoud Abbas, to hold an emergency meeting "to build up on this victory and draw a track for our Palestinian work."
