The rally was called for by Hamas as part of a campaign to denounce new Israeli restrictions against Muslim worshippers at Al-Aqsa.

The rally was accompanied by heavy deployments of PA security personnel.

Abu Kwik called on international legal organizations to support Palestinian residents of the city against Israeli eviction policies and to "punish the occupation state for placing obstacles before worshippers seeking to pray in Al-Aqsa."

In recent weeks, tensions have run high in the West Bank and Al-Quds as extremist Jewish settlers – often accompanied by Israeli security forces – have entered the Aqsa Mosque complex on an almost daily basis.

The frequent violations distress Palestinian Muslims and occasionally lead to violent confrontations.

Jews refer to Al-Aqsa as the "Temple Mount," claiming the area was the site of two prominent Jewish temples in ancient times.

In late July, the West Bank-based PA resumed US-sponsored peace talks with the self-proclaimed Jewish state following a three-year hiatus.

Talks between the two sides generally take place behind closed doors. Results of negotiations are not divulged to the media.

AA