The Hamas terrorist organization threatened Israel Tuesday that the entire region would fly "into a rage" over resumption of construction near the Temple Mount in Jerusalem.

"We warn against harming the al-Aksa mosque…." said Hamas spokesman Taher al-Nounou, who added that excavations would "provoke the feelings of all Muslims in the world."

Israel temporarily suspended the dig last year amid Arab riots worldwide. Muslims claimed that construction to replace a broken footbridge to the entrance of the Temple Mount from the Rambam (Mughrabi) Gate in the Old City of Jerusalem would harm the mosque. International experts came to inspect the site and determined no damage was caused to the structure.