World Bulletin / News Desk

Gaza Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh on Wednesday warned there was fertile ground in the Palestinian territories for a third Palestinian intifada ("uprising") against Israel, citing what he described as repeated Israeli violations of Palestinian rights.

"The current circumstances in the West Bank, Gaza Strip and Jerusalem are similar to those seen before the First Intifada in 1987," Haniyah said during a visit to a Gaza courthouse.

"The Palestinian people will continue their struggle until the Israeli occupation is driven off all Palestinian land," he added.

Haniyah also hailed Muslim worshippers who thwarted a Wednesday attempt by Jewish settlers to storm Jerusalem's Al-Aqsa Mosque compound and place a menorah (a Jewish religious symbol) atop the Dome of the Rock Mosque.

Around 2,000 Palestinians and scores of Israelis were killed in the first Palestinian Intifada, which lasted for five years (1987-1992).

Scores of Palestinians were also killed by Israel during the Second Intifada between 2000 and 2003, which was initially triggered by a visit to the Al-Aqsa Mosque by rightwing Israeli politician Ariel Sharon.