Tensions in Jerusalem trigger worst escalation between Israel and Gaza Strip in months

JERUSALEM – The growing tension in recent days between Palestinians and Israelis, with clashes in Jerusalem and protests in the West Bank, gave rise this Saturday to the launch of rockets from Gaza and the armed response of Israel, in the biggest cross-border escalation in months.

Palestinian fighters fired at least 30 projectiles and Israel responded by attacking targets operated by Hamas, the group that has ruled Gaza since 2007.

The most recent clashes in Jerusalem took place on Friday evening near the Old City, after a confrontation the night before between far-right Jews shouting “death to the Arabs”, Palestinian citizens and security forces who injured over 120 people.

Police and Palestinian youths were playing cat and mouse near Damascus Gate, after the last Friday prayer that gathered tens of thousands of worshipers on the Mosque Esplanade, Islam’s third holiest site, in the middle of the fasting month of Ramadan.

Young Palestinians threw water bottles and stones at the police, who used stun grenades in an attempt to disperse the crowd and made arrests. Incidents also occurred in various Palestinian neighborhoods in East Jerusalem.

Meanwhile, hundreds of Palestinians gathered at the Qalandiya border post, which connects Israel and the West Bank, where they set fire to objects in protest, while in Bethlehem, groups of Palestinians threw stones. and Molotov cocktails at Rachel’s grave, a holy place. Jewish. There was also a demonstration in Ramallah, headquarters of the Palestinian National Authority (PNA).

Later, at least 36 rockets were fired from the Gaza Strip, according to the IDF. Six rockets were intercepted by the Iron Dome missile shield and more landed on a wasteland. In retaliation, Israeli tanks, fighter jets and helicopters attacked positions of Hamas, the armed Islamist movement that controls the Gaza Strip..

After Thursday’s clashes near the Old City, the most violent in recent years in the holy city, the military wing of Hamas has extended its support to the Palestinians in East Jerusalem, warning Israel: “The spark you ignite today ‘hui will be the fuse of the next explosion in front of the enemy’.

The president of the ANP, Mahmoud Abbas, denounced the “incitement to hatred” of Israeli far-right groups and urged the international community to “protect” the Palestinians in East Jerusalem.

Clashes in recent days in Jerusalem began after police prevented people from sitting on the steps around the Damascus Gate, where Palestinians often congregate during Ramadan.

And since far-right Jews were planning to demonstrate near that big gate that overlooks the old town, many Palestinians saw it as a provocation and an attempt to take control of this symbolic place.

“Above all, we want to maintain law and order. We now demand that the law be observed and I call on all parties to calm down, ”the Israeli Prime Minister said, Benjamin Netanyahu. “We want to maintain freedom of worship as every year for all residents and tourists of Jerusalem”, assured the Prime Minister in reference to the prayer in the esplanade of the mosques.

The UN special envoy for the Middle East, Tor Wennesland, on Saturday called on “all parties to exercise the utmost restraint and avoid further escalation”.

“The provocative acts in Jerusalem must stop. The indiscriminate launching of rockets into populated areas violates international law and must stop immediately, ”he said in a statement.

AFP, AP and ANSA agencies

THE NATION