Hezbollah has urged Arab and Islamic nations to act against an Israeli construction work near an Islamic holy site in Jerusalem, which Hezbollah described as a "blatant aggression," local Naharnet news website reported on Thursday.

"The actions of the Israeli occupation forces ... are a blatant aggression on the Arab and Muslim sacred places," a Hezbollah statement was quoted as saying on Wednesday.

"Remaining silent toward what has happened encourages the enemy to make much more important and dangerous violations," it said.

"We ask Arab and Islamic countries and people to bear complete responsibility in confronting the Zionist plots," it said.

On Tuesday, Israel started excavation work near Al-Magharba Gate, which is considered part of the Western Wall of al-Aqsa Mosque, Islam's third holiest shrine.

Muslims across the Middle East have condemned Israel's move since it announced the start of the excavation, fearing it would damage the compound.

The Israeli Antiquities Authority on Tuesday defended the construction work, saying it was only building a safe bridge to the compound, which would cause no damage to the site.

Israel said the construction work is expected to take months despite a storm of Arab-Muslim protest that the holy site's foundations are in danger.

Source: Xinhua