A former leader of Hamas called on global Muslims to join the fight against Israel and stage protests in support of the Palestinian cause five days after terrorists stormed the barricade around Gaza and slaughtered more than 1,000 Israeli civilians.

Ex-Hamas chief Khaled Meshaal made his plea Friday in a recorded statement sent to the Reuters news agency.

“[We must] head to the squares and streets of the Arab and Islamic world on Friday,” Mr. Meshall said from his base in Qatar where he heads the terror organization’s diaspora office. “Tribes of Jordan, sons of Jordan, brothers and sisters of Jordan … this is a moment of truth, and the borders are close to you. You all know your responsibility.”

Jordan is home to a large number of Palestinian refugees.

“To all scholars who teach jihad … to all who teach and learn, this is a moment for the application [of jihad],” Mr. Meshaal said, according to Reuters.

On Saturday, Hamas terrorists breached a wall between Israel and the Gaza Strip and launched the deadliest attack in Israel’s history, killing an estimated 1,200 civilians at last count. The assault prompted Jerusalem to declare war on Hamas and launch an unprecedented series of airstrikes on Gaza.

• Mike Glenn can be reached at mglenn@washingtontimes.com.