ISLAMABAD: The Israel-Palestine conflict has escalated with rocket fire from Gaza and Lebanon and shootings in the occupied West Bank, leaving two Israeli women dead and one seriously injured.
The rocket fire was in response to Israeli police clashing with Palestinians inside Jerusalem’s Al-Aqsa Mosque, which sparked an exchange of air strikes and rockets.
The Israeli army vowed it would not allow Palestinian factions to open a new front in Lebanon and responded with an artillery bombardment and air strikes. The rocket fire from Lebanon was the heaviest since the 2006 war with Hezbollah.
The United Nations (UN) Interim Force in Lebanon has urged restraint from both sides, warning of the risk of a serious escalation.
Israel’s response has been to target Hamas and Islamic Jihad with air strikes on tunnels and weapon manufacturing sites in Gaza.
The Israeli army said it had intercepted 25 rockets, and five had hit Israeli territory.
Hamas condemned the “appalling Israeli aggression” and warned of further rocket fire if Israel continued its attacks. Palestinian sources said that the factions would cease fire if Israel stopped its aggression.
US recognizes Israel’s right to self defence
The United States recognised Israel’s right to defend itself, while the UN chief called for maximum restraint and Britain urged de-escalation of tensions.
The shootings in the West Bank were in a car passing through the Hamra junction. There was no immediate claim of responsibility, but the Israeli army launched a manhunt for the perpetrators.
The conflict has prompted appeals for restraint from the international community, but the Israeli army has vowed to respond with a heavy price to any further attacks.
The violence has caused partial damage to the Al-Dorra children’s hospital in Gaza City, and at least one man and one woman have been injured in Israel.
