Ramallah, December 7 (RHC)-- Palestinians are protesting in cities across the West Bank and Gaza Strip after U.S. President Donald Trump announced Wednesday that he would recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and initiate a process of moving the U.S. Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. 

Clashes erupted between Palestinians and Israelis throughout the occupied territories just hours after Trump announced his decision, despite warnings from around the world that the measure risks triggering a fresh wave of violence in the Middle East. 

In a televised speech after Trump's announcement, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said Jerusalem al-Quds is the "eternal capital of the State of Palestine."  Abbas added that the U.S president's decision was "tantamount to the United States abdicating its role as a peace mediator." 

Meanwhile, Palestinians in the besieged Gaza Strip staged a demonstration against the U.S. and Israel, condemning Trump's recognition of Jerusalem al-Quds as Israel's capital. 

The Palestinian resistance movement of Hamas which rules Gaza condemned the U.S. move as "flagrant aggression against the Palestinian people," and called on Arabs and Muslims to "undermine the U.S. interests in the region" and to "shun Israel." 

Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh said in a statement that the Palestinian people "know how to respond properly to the disregard of their feelings and sanctuaries."  He added that the decision "will not change the facts of history and geography." 
 
As protesters gathered outside the U.S. consulate in Istanbul in reaction to Trump's announcement, the Turkish Foreign Ministry denounced the speech as an "irresponsible statement." Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu also said Trump's recognition does not automatically make Jerusalem al-Quds the capital of Israel. 

Apart from numerous condemnations from many other world leaders, such as Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, UK Prime Minister Theresa May, and French President Emmanuel Macron, UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres implicitly criticized Trump's announcement, warning that the Palestinian city's status must be resolved through direct Israeli-Palestinian negotiations. 

Guterres said: "From day one as secretary general of the United Nations, I have consistently spoken out against any unilateral measures that would jeopardize the prospect of peace for Israelis and Palestinians."