However, the new and more distant target showed the escalation on the third day of mutual attacks. On Sunday night, Khaled Mansour, a second senior commander of the militant Islamic Jihad, was killed in an Israeli airstrike in the south of the Gaza Strip.
problems on many ends
At the same time, another focal point became apparent. Several Jews prayed at the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in Jerusalem, in violation of Israeli and Muslim regulations. Palestinians protested against it.
missiles intercepted
In several communities around five kilometers west of Jerusalem, the sirens wailed in the morning. An Israeli military spokesman said the missiles were intercepted in mid-air. Islamic Jihad said the organization had launched rocket attacks on Jerusalem in retaliation for the killing of Mansour, its commander, in southern Gaza.
Already on Friday and Saturday, the Islamic Jihad had aimed primarily at southern Israel with rockets. According to the Israeli military, most of the approximately 400 rockets were intercepted. 97 percent of the projectiles were destroyed by the “Iron Dome” protective shield. The Israeli Air Force carried out numerous strikes on targets in the Gaza Strip.
Renewed escalation
These are the most serious clashes in over a year. They follow an Israeli special operation against Islamic Jihad in Gaza on Friday that killed Tayseer al-Jaabari, a top commander, according to Israeli sources. According to Islamic Jihad, two other members of the organization and five civilians were killed in the attack on Commander Mansour. The Jihad then swore revenge: “The blood of the martyrs will not be wasted, and the holy warriors will not let that blood dry until they have bombarded the enemy’s settlements with their rockets.”
According to Palestinian sources, around 30 people were killed in the Israeli attacks, including six children. At least a third of the dead are civilians. 203 people were injured on Friday and Saturday. According to information from the rescue service, there were no reports of seriously injured people in Israel.
Provocations at Al-Aqsa Mosque
An escalation also threatened in Jerusalem. There, Jews broke long-established regulations and worshiped on the grounds of Al-Aqsa Mosque, where Jewish shrines once stood. Videos circulating on the internet showed the police stepping in to stop the believers.
Palestinians protested against the Jewish prayers on mosque grounds. The mosque sits atop one of the most controversial holy sites in the Middle East. The Jews refer to it as the Temple Mount. It is the third holiest site for Muslims after Mecca and Medina. Only Muslim services are allowed on the mosque grounds, Jews are not allowed to pray there. Some did it anyway to commemorate Tisha B’Av, the day of mourning for ancient temples. The two on the grounds of Al-Aqsa Mosque were already destroyed in ancient times.
mediation attempts
The Palestinian leadership said Egypt, the United Nations and Qatar had begun mediation efforts to end the violence. According to Egyptian security circles, an Egyptian delegation arrived in Israel on Saturday and was due to travel to Gaza for mediation talks. According to Egyptian sources, much may depend on whether Hamas, which controls the Gaza Strip, joins the violent actions of the smaller Islamic Jihad.
The Israeli airstrikes in the Gaza Strip are also to concern the UN Security Council in New York on Monday. The meeting will take place behind closed doors.
–
