Graphic shows details Israeli-Palestinian violence.
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MIDEAST

Deadly air strikes hit Gaza after rocket attacks

May 11, 2021 - Israeli airstrikes have struck militant targets in the Gaza Strip after rockets were fired from the territory towards Jersualam, as tensions between Israel and the Palestinians continue to spiral.

Since sundown on Monday when the cross-border attacks began, 24 Palestinians – including nine children – were killed in Gaza, mostly by airstrikes, Gaza health officials said. The Israeli military said 15 of the dead were militants. During the same period, Gaza militants fired more than 250 rockets toward Israel, injuring six Israeli civilians in a direct hit on an apartment building.

In a further sign of rising tensions, Israel signalled it is widening its military campaign. The military said it is sending troop reinforcements to the Gaza border and the defence minister ordered the mobilisation of 5,000 reserve soldiers.

The overnight rockets and airstrikes were preceded by hours of clashes between Palestinians and Israeli security forces, including dramatic confrontations at Jerusalem’s Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, a sacred site to both Jews and Muslims. In fighting in the contested city and across the West Bank, more than 700 Palestinians were hurt, including nearly 500 who were treated at hospitals.

In a sign of widening unrest, hundreds of residents of Arab communities across Israel staged overnight demonstrations – denouncing the recent actions of Israeli security forces against Palestinians – in one of the largest protests by Palestinian citizens in Israel in recent years.

Sources
PUBLISHED: 11/05/2021; STORY: Graphic News
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