Hamas spokesperson Mohammad Hamadeh threatened Sunday that rising tensions in the east Jerusalem neighborhood of Sheikh Jarrah would "explode in Israel's faces."
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"The attack by bands of settlers led by [Otzma Yehudit party chairman MK Itamar] Ben-Gvir against our people in the middle of the night is brazen aggression. [Israel] is playing with fire in Jerusalem, for which all of Palestine may ignite," Hamadeh said in a statement.
He called on all Palestinians in Judea and Samaria and Jerusalem to "mobilize for the people of Sheikh Jarrah."
At least two people were wounded and six others were arrested after clashes in the sensitive flashpoint neighborhood early Sunday morning.
Clashes broke out between police and protesters and between Jews and Palestinians after an alleged firebombing of a Jewish home and Ben-Gvir's announcement that he would set up his office in the tension-plagued area.
Ben-Gvir responded to the Hamas threats on Sunday afternoon, stating, "You're terrorists, and need to be handled through a [rifle] scope ... Among other things, I'm handling how to carry out a targeted assassination for every Hamas terrorist."
He stressed he would not be leaving.
Ben-Gvir's makeshift office was removed from the building while Jerusalem District Police chief Doron Turgeman was in talks with activists to relocate the office, in exchange for the positioning of a security post in the area.
Joint Arab List MKs Ofer Cassif, Ahmad Tibi, and Osama Saadi had approached Ben-Gvir's makeshift office, also adding to the tensions.
Later, Ben-Gvir scuffled with police and even fainted during the clashes. He required medical attention and was taken to Hadassah Ein Kerem Hospital.
"I would like to thank everyone who cares about my well-being. I am currently being examined at the hospital, after police officers, led by Officer Shahar Machsomi, acted brutally and violently towards me, until I fainted," he said in a statement from the hospital.
Ben-Gvir added, "The police are not allowed to touch a Knesset member, and it is clear to me that they have an order from above to dismantle my parliamentary office. It will not help them! We will return until security returns to Shimon Hatzadik!"
Authorities later barred entrance to the neighborhood to motor vehicles, with the exception of residents.
Jerusalem city councilman Aryeh King told Israel National News Sunday, "I prevented Ahmad Tibi and Ofer Cassif from entering private property. Despite my efforts, police helped them enter, in violation of the law."
Mossi Raz, a lawmaker for the left-wing Meretz party, accused Ben-Gvir of "trying to set the area ablaze and stir up a war, just as he did in May."
On Friday, a Jewish home was torched in the neighborhood, causing heavy damage to the structure. No injuries were reported in the fire, which was apparently caused by Molotov cocktails.
A day later, Arab rioters clashed with police in the area, and an Arab driver was arrested after his vehicle rammed into a 20-year-old man, leaving him moderately injured.
In January, police evicted the Arab residents of several illegal structures in the contested neighborhood, arresting 18 people during the evacuation and subsequent demolition of the buildings.
The initial evacuation order had been issued in 2017, and the residents of the illegal structures "were given countless opportunities to hand over the land with consent," said the Municipality.
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas condemned the eviction, calling it a "war crime," and saying that Israel bears full responsibility for its "serious repercussions." In a statement from his office, he called on the United States to "intervene immediately to halt the continuing Israeli crimes against our people in Jerusalem."
US Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield had called on Israel to refrain from evicting the residents of the illegal structures.
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