Photo taken on May 11, 2021 shows explosions following Israeli airstrikes in the southern Gaza Strip city of Rafah. Israel launched new airstrikes against the Gaza Strip, and Hamas, which rules the territory, unleashed fresh rocket attacks against Jerusalem overnight and early on Tuesday, in one of the worst escalations in years. (Photo by Khaled Omar/Xinhua)
JERUSALEM, May 11 (Xinhua) -- Israel launched new airstrikes against the Gaza Strip, and Hamas, which rules the territory, unleashed fresh rocket attacks against Jerusalem overnight and early on Tuesday, in one of the worst escalations in years.
At least 24 people, including nine children, have been killed in the Gaza Strip since late Monday in this latest round of violence, the Hamas-run health ministry in the Gaza Strip said Tuesday in a statement. The violence was triggered by spiraling tensions in East Jerusalem over flashpoint holy site the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound.
According to Israel's emergency health services, at least six Israelis were injured by rocket fire in the southern Israeli city of Ashkelon.
The sharp escalation began at 6 p.m. local time (1500 GMT) on Monday after Hamas set an ultimatum for Israel to withdraw its forces from the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, where Israeli police injured hundreds of Palestinians in clashes earlier that day.
Following the deadline, Hamas fired some 200 rockets towards Israel, dozens of which were intercepted by Israel's anti-rocket Iron Dome system, said the Israeli army.
Meanwhile, Israeli war jets, attack helicopters and aircraft struck 130 targets belonging to Hamas, and targeted several other Hamas sites overnight, such as weapons manufacturing facilities; the Palestinian Islamic Jihad, a smaller militant group in Gaza; a military intelligence building; and two offensive tunnels, it said.
It added that schools have been canceled in communities located within 40 km of the Gaza Strip.
The Al-Aqsa Mosque compound also witnessed fresh clashes between Israeli police and Palestinians overnight.
Furthermore, Arab protesters burned tires and threw stones and fireworks at police forces in northern Israel, and at least 46 people were arrested, according to the Israeli police.
In Lod, a city southeast of Tel Aviv, an Arab civilian was shot dead amid clashes, the police added. Enditem
