Israel hits Gaza

Following a weekend of rioting near a Jerusalem holy site, Israel launched its first air strikes on the Gaza Strip in months.

Southern Israel was alerted Monday night after a missile was launched from the Hamas-controlled enclave, the first such occurrence since early January. The missile hit the waters off Tel Aviv.

“The Gaza Strip launched one missile into Israeli territory. “The Iron Dome Air Defense System intercepted the rocket,” the Israeli military reported.

In reply, the Israeli air force stated it had attacked a Hamas weapons factory. Witnesses and security sources in Gaza said the air assaults caused no injuries.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility, but it comes after a string of incidents in Israel and a weekend of tensions at a holy site in Jerusalem.

Israel blames Hamas for all missile launches and normally responds with airstrikes.

Following a weekend of Israeli-Palestinian violence in and around Jerusalem’s al-Aqsa mosque complex, more than 170 persons were injured, predominantly Palestinian protesters.

According to diplomatic sources, the UN security council will meet on Tuesday to examine the spike in violence.

Last year, similar rioting in Jerusalem sparked multiple Hamas rocket attacks into Israel, resulting in an 11-day conflict. The rise in tensions corresponds with both Ramadan and Passover.

Jews call the Al-Aqsa Mosque complex Temple Mount, the holiest location in Judaism and Islam. Palestinians are enraged by the frequent visits of Jewish worshipers who may enter but not pray.

The Netanyahu administration has often said that Israeli security personnel had “free rein” to deal with protesters. On Sunday, Hamas vowed to preserve Palestinians’ right to worship at al-Aqsa.

The Gaza and al-Aqsa riots came after a spate of Palestinian and Israeli Arab assaults against the Jewish state that cost 14 lives, largely civilians.

Since March 22, 23 Palestinians have been slain in violence, including terrorists who targeted Israelis, according to AFP. Included in this list is Hanan Khudur, 18, who died Monday after being shot by Israeli forces last week in the village of Faquaa, near Jenin.

Israel has increased its military presence in the West Bank.

On Monday, US State Department spokeswoman Ned Price said Washington was “deeply concerned” about the rising tensions and that top US officials had telephoned Israeli, PA and Arab colleagues.

Our position is to maintain the historic status quo at al-Aqsa and to prevent “provocative” actions, he stated. He was asked to “deliver a message of protest” over unlawful and provocative Israeli breaches at the hallowed al-Aqsa mosque, the foreign ministry stated.

Israel captured east Jerusalem in 1967 and annexed it in a move that was largely ignored by the international world. Bennett said on Monday that Israel was doing “everything” to guarantee that members of all religions could worship securely in Jerusalem.

Jordanian-style violence against Jews is unacceptable, he said.

Bennett is also in a political bind at home, having lost his one-seat majority in the 120-seat Knesset, almost a year after assembling a coalition.

On Sunday, Raam, the first Arab-Israeli party in government, said it was suspending membership due to the Jerusalem violence.

Also Read

Japan invents ‘electric’ chopsticks that make meals taste saltier

There may soon be no need for diners in Japan to worry...