Israel-Palestine Conflict highlights: Netanyahu 'backs' security forces in Lod to quell protests

Hamas continued a barrage of deadly rocket fire towards Israel on Thursday in retaliation for the levelling of a 14-storey building in Gaza by Israel, which ruled out an imminent ceasefire. Hamas said the volley of 130 rockets, which killed a six-year-old boy in southern Israel and set off air raid warnings up to Tel Aviv, was a response to the destruction of Gaza City's Al-Farouk tower. That is nearly a quarter of the number fired during the entire 2014 war.

Israel-Palestine conflict: What sparked the latest bout of violence?

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Israel's Ramon Airport suspended operations on Thursday for a brief while after being targetted by Hamas rockets. No damage or casualties were reported.

An Israeli official confirmed the airport had not been targeted by Palestinian rocket fire and was operating as usual, Haaretz reported.

Israel boosts troops on Gaza border, scrambles to control rioting

Israel deployed additional troops to Gaza's border Thursday as the military conflict with Palestinian Islamists raged on, while inside Israel security forces scrambled to contain deadly riots between Jews and Arabs.

Army tanks shelled the Palestinian enclave and AFP reporters saw troops assembling at the security barrier. But the armed forces maintained a ground offensive was not the primary focus of the operation against Palestinian militants. (AFP)

Israel Prime Minister Benjamin visited Lod on Thursday as violent riots ravagedthe Jewish-Arab city. He said, "What we need now is strength and power, and backing for the police," Netanyahu said.

"You have our backing. Do not be afraid, act!" the PM said in a tweet.

"We will recruit more forces, including IDF soldiers, we will use other means and arrests. We will use batons, rugs, hallucinations - everything - to restore peace and order to all the cities of Israel," he added.

No tolerance for attacks against synagogues: Germany

“There must be no tolerance for attacks against synagogues in our country,” German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas has said, pledging “unwavering security” for Jewish temples in Germany.

Protesters burned Israeli flags outside synagogues in Muenster and Bonn in western Germany earlier this week. 16 people have been arrested.

Tel Aviv, Beersheba hit; Hamas labels it 'revenge for slain leaders'

Hamas operatives fired rockets at Tel Aviv area and Beersheba and toward Eilat’s airport, calling it "an act of revenge for its commanders who were killed in Israeli strikes this week", Times of Israel reported.

Germany’s Jewish community has called upon the German government to step up protection of Jewish institutions throughout the country after Israeli flags were burned in front of two synagogues.

Just in | Israelpolice have opened numerous investigations to locate the instigators of planned riots by radical Jewish Israelis.

For years, Jews and Arabs have lived together in the central Israeli city of Lod. This week everything fell apart, leaving a man dead, a synagogue torched and neighbours facing off in hatred.

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A warning about a UAV infiltration has been issued in the Nachal Oz and Alumim districts of Israel, The Jerusalem Post has reported.

Breaking | The IDF has called up 7,000 reserves and cancelled all leave for combat units.

Just in | The IDF shot down aUAV that entered Israel from the Gaza Strip.

Police forces are following a protest near the Jerusalem District Court arrested a suspect for throwing stones at protesters.

JUST IN | Hamas rocket aimed at Israel's Eilat Airport missed, but operations have been temporarily halted, Times of Israel has reported.

3 US airlines suspend flights to Israel

American Airlines, United Airlines and Delta Air Lines have suspended flights to Israel amid rising violence in the conflict between Israel and Palestinians. Israeli airstrikes hit Gaza, and Palestinian militants in Gaza fired rockets at targets in Israel, including the main airport in Tel Aviv.

Kenyan police disperse protesters demonstrating against Israeli attacks on Gaza

Police fired teargas to disperse a crowd of more than 200 people protesting in Kenya's capital Nairobi on Thursday against the Israeli bombing of the Palestinian territory of Gaza. Several demonstrators were arrested, a Reuters witness said.

Hamas warned international airlines against flying to Israel on Thursday, stating that they had fired strong rockets with a range greater than 250 km towards Israeli airports, according to The Jerusalem Post

Breaking | Rocket sirens sound in Tel Aviv, Herzliya, Beersheba and central Israel.

Hamas claims to have 'plenty more surprises for Israel'

The spokesman for the Hamas military wing, Abu Ubaida, is quoted by Haaretz as saying that the group's "reaction so far was only a small part" of its capabilites. He has warned that"as much as Israel intensifies [its strikes], we will increase our attacks, and we have plenty more surprises."

JUST IN | Hamas says it has fired rockets towards Israel's southern airport of Ramon.

Defense Minister Benny Gantz ordered the emergency call-up of 10 companies of Border Police and for them to deploy throughout the country in an attempt to curb the Arab-Jewish violence and riots that has marred Israel's streets in recent days, reported The Jerusalem Post.

Firefighters extinguish fire from a building that was vandalised in Acre, a mixed Arab-Jewish town in northwest Israel. Israel faced an escalating conflict on two fronts, scrambling to quell riots between Arabs and Jews on its own streets after days of exchanging deadly fire with Islamist militants in Gaza. (AFP)

Weary Gaza marks Muslim feast as violence spreads in Israel

Weary Palestinians somberly marked the end of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan on Thursday, as Hamas and Israel traded more rockets and airstrikes and Jewish-Arab violence raged across Israel.

The violence has reached deeper into Israel than at any time since the 2000 Palestinian intifada, or uprising. Arab and Jewish mobs are rampaging through the streets, savagely beating people and torching cars, and flights have been cancelled or diverted away from the country's main airport. (PTI)

Israel orders 'massive reinforcement' to quell internal violence

Israeli Defence Minister Benny Gantz ordered a "massive reinforcement" of security forces to help contain deadly internal unrest that has rocked mixed Jewish and Arab communities across the country.

"We are in an emergency situation due to the national violence and it is now necessary to have a massive reinforcement of forces on the ground, and they are to be sent immediately to enforce law and order," he said.

He specified the forces would be reservists from Israel's border police, a force that largely operates in the occupied West Bank. (Reuters)

Israel international airport closed for landings amid tensions

Israel's Ben Gurion International Airport outside Tel Avivis closed for landings amid rising tensions between the Jewish state and militants in the Gaza Strip, the country's airport authority said on Thursday in a statement. Departures will be redirected to the Ramon Airport, a smaller airport outside the southern resort city of Eilat.

Alerts sound in a number of towns close to the Gaza Strip, warning of potential incoming rocket fire, Times of Israel has reported. Residents of Nirim, Kissufim and Ein Hashlosha have rushed for shelter.

Just in | Lufthansa airlines expects to resume flights from Israel from May 15 (Reuters)

An Egyptian delegation of security officials, mediating between Israel and Hamas, arrived in Tel Aviv, sources tell Al Arabiya network. According to the political sources, Israel said it isn't seeking a ceasefire before Saturday.

China urges UN to act on Israel-Palestinian conflict

China on Thursday expressed a "high degree of concern" over deadly clashes between Israel and Palestinians and urged the United Nations Security Council to do more to de-escalate tensions and implement a two-state solution.

"China expresses a high degree of concern regarding the current situation between Palestine and Israel," said foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying, adding that China was ready to draft and circulate a statement on behalf of the body.

Citizens report explosions in Gaza

Ball of fire engulfing the Al-Walid building which was destroyed in an Israeli airstrike on Gaza city

The Israeli army has launched hundreds of air strikes on the Gaza Strip since the begining of the week, while Palestinian militants have launched more than 1,200 rockets, according to Israel's army, in some of the worst violence in seven years in the area. Credit: AFP Photo

For the second time in one hour, Israel hits Hamas cell firing anti-tank guided missiles at the Israel Defence Forces.

Palestinian Health Ministry says that the death toll has in Palestine risen to 83 since the start of the violence.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the violence as “anarchy” and convened an emergency Cabinet meeting that lasted into the early hours of Thursday to “give more powers to the police” and enforce curfews “as needed.”

Police are now cracking down on protesters in Israeli cities.

Red alert air raid sirens go off in industrial areas south of Ashkelon

A rocket launched by Hamas killed a woman from Kerala 2 days ago. She was working in Ashkelon.

British Airways among airlines to cancel flights to Tel Aviv amid escalating conflict

British Airways cancelled its flights to and from Tel Aviv on Thursday, the latest international carrier to avoid flying to Israel amid an escalating conflict there.

"The safety and security of our colleagues and customers is always our top priority, and we continue to monitor the situation closely," British Airways said.

United Airlines, Delta Air Lines and American Airlines on Wednesday all cancelled flights between the United States and Tel Aviv.

Palestinian worshippers raise the Hamas and the Palestinian flag along with a Hamas poster with portraits of its leaders, at the Dome of the Rock shrine in the al-Aqsa mosque compound in Jerusalem's Old City. Credit: AFP Photo

Red alert siren blares, warning South Israel of massive salvo of rockets

Areas of South Israel that are under the red alert warning-

Zimrat and Shuva, Kfar Maimon and Tushia, Kfar Azza, Nachal Oz, Sa'ad, Alumim, Shokeda, Beit HaGdi, Netivot, Tkuma and Havat Izra'am, Tkuma, Yoshivia, Talmei Bilu, Zru'a, Mabu'im, Shavei Darom, Mefalsim

Siren blares in Kerem Shalom in the south of Israel, warning of incoming fire

Israeli soldiers fire a 155mm self-propelled howitzer towards the Gaza Strip from their position near the southern Israeli city of Sderot

IDF has been building troops at the border with the Gaza Strip. Plans to commence ground invasion of Gaza may be approved later in the day and presented to the Cabinet. Credit: AFP Photo

Lloyd Austin backs Israel's 'legitimate right to defend self'

The Pentagon said Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin had called his Israeli counterpart, Benny Gantz, and backed Israel's "legitimate right to defend itself and its people" while also urging steps to restore calm.

Gal Gadot criticised after she calls for 'solution' to Israel-Palestine conflict

Hollywood star Gal Gadot came under fire on social media after she posted a message of peace in the wake of the latest round of fighting between Israel and Palestine.

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Palestine's Health Ministry says 72 killed in Gaza since start of violence on Monday.

IDF troops along Gaza border bring back memories of 2014 Gazan war

Israel has prepared combat troops along the Gaza border and was in "various stages of preparing ground operations," a military spokesman said, a move that would recall similar incursions during Israel-Gaza wars in 2014 and 2008-2009.

"The Chief of Staff is inspecting those preparations and providing guidance ... we have a division headquarters and three maneuver brigades down in Gaza preparing themselves for that situation and for various contingencies," Lieutenant Colonel Jonathan Conricus said.

IDF strikes Hamas military intelligence building

A military aircraft carried out a strike on a building known to house Hamas's military intelligence unit in the Gaza Strip, reports The Times of Israel quoting an IDF statement.

Will bring 'total, long-term quiet' before considering ceasefire, says Benny Gantz, Israel's Defence Minister

Pro-Palestinian demonstration after Eid al-Fitr prayers in Istanbul

People shout slogans to express solidarity with the Palestinian people after participating in Eid al-Fitr prayers marking the end of the holy fasting month of Ramadan, outside the Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque in Istanbul. Credit: Reuters Photo

Benny Gantz calls for reinforcement of security forces in cities to quell protests

Defense Minsiter Benny Gantz ordered a call for a "massive reinforcement" of Border Police in Israeli cities after waves of protests overwhelmed security forces causing damage to buildings and incidents of arson, reports Haaretz.

Step back from the brink, UK tells Hamas, Israel and Palestinians

Britain's minister for the Middle East on Thursday called on Hamas, Israel and the Palestinians to step back from the brink of what he cast as a terrible escalation, and told the Islamist group to cease rocket attacks on the Jewish state.

"It is important for both sides to take a step back," James Cleverly, a junior foreign minister who deals with the Middle East and North Africa, told Sky News.

"We have seen however an unprecedented level of rocket attack into Israel," he said. "We want to see the rocket attacks stop."

Former head of Israel's space agency, Avi Har Even, in critical condition after the hotel in which he was staying in Acre two days ago was torched by rioters. Several others were injured in that attack.

Israel masses troops along Gaza as rocket fire, air strikes escalate

Israel was preparing ground troops along the Gaza border on Thursday and Hamas launched rocket barrages at southern Israel as the fiercest hostilities in years dragged on with no end in sight.

Sirens blared in Tel Aviv overnight and the sound of rockets being shot down by Israel's Iron Dome system filled the sky, sending thousands of Israelis to shelters.

By dawn on Thursday, Israel had renewed its air strikes on the Palestinian coastal enclave, destroying a six-storey residential building in the middle of Gaza City.

A view shows the remains of a tower building which was destroyed by Israeli air strikes, amid a flare-up of Israeli-Palestinian violence, in Gaza City. Credit: Reuters Photo

A total of 1,600 rockets have been fired towards Israel since Monday. 400 of them fell inside Gaza, reports Jerusalem Post quoting IDF spokesperson.

Israel Defence Forces claims that Hamas is using children as human shields

IDF said that they neutralised a terror tunnel to stop Hamas to hide behind "innocent children"

IDF may approve ground invasion plans into Gaza Strip

As the Israel Defence Forces intensify attack on Hamas, ground invasion plans into Gaza Strip will be presented to the Chief of Staff of the IDF for approval later today, according to a report by The Jerusalem Post.

Gaza's death toll rises to 69 after sustained rocket fire in and outside Gaza Strip, according to health officials.

UK Middle East Minister calls on Israel, Hamas and Palestinians to step back from the brink.

Explained: What is Israel’s Iron Dome and how does it stop Hamas’ rockets?

As rockets fired from Gaza rained down on the Israeli city of Ashkelon this week during the worst military conflict with Palestinian groups since 2014, they were intercepted by what appeared to be an invisible shield and exploded mid-air into thousands of glowing fragments.

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Red alert air raid sirens blare in Nirim, east of Gaza.

IDF says it hit 600 targets in Gaza so far, including bunker dug under a school

Over 1,050 rockets and mortar shells have been fired from the Gaza Strip toward Israel since the escalation of violence on Monday, says Israeli Defence Forces. 200 of the rockets landed inside the Gaza Strip and couldn't make it past the border, reports The Times of Israel, quoting IDF

A picture taken with a drone shows the ruins of buildings which were destroyed in Israeli air strikes amid a flare-up of Israeli-Palestinian violence, in the northern Gaza Strip. Credit: Reuters Photo

Turkey calls on Muslims to take clear stance over Gaza

Muslim countries must show a united and clear stance over Israel's conflict with the Islamist Hamas movement in Gaza, Turkey's vice president, Fuat Oktay, said on Thursday, criticising world powers for condemning violence without acting.

"There are decisions taken repeatedly at the United Nations, there are condemnations. But unfortunately no result has been obtained, because a clear stance is not displayed," said Oktay.

Gal Gadot criticised after she calls for 'solution' to Israel-Palestine conflict

Hollywood star Gal Gadot came under fire on social media after she posted a message of peace in the wake of the latest round of fighting between Israel and Palestine.

Gadot, a former Israeli Defence Forces fighter, posted a statement on Twitter, saying it breaks her heart to her see her "country is at war".

"My heart breaks. My country is at war. I worry for my family, my friends. I worry for my people. This is a vicious cycle that has been going on for far too long," the 36-year-old actor wrote.

Tel Aviv's Ben Gurion Airport closed; flights to land at Eilat airport

"Israel closes TLV int'l for passenger arrivals, all flights will land Eilat airport and from there by buses," tweets aviation tracker Avi Scharf.

Israel diverts flights from Tel Aviv's Ben Gurion to Ramon airport

Israel diverted an incoming flight from Ben Gurion Airport on Thursday to a southern airport designed to serve as a wartime alternative to its main international gateway outside Tel Aviv, aviation tracker Avi Scharf said on Twitter.

Unconfirmed reports say that all flights are being diverted to Ramon Airport in souther Negev.

Israeli Defence Forces to approve Gaza ground invasion plans later today

Plans for invading the Gaza Strip on land is set to be presented to the IDF General Staff for approval later today, reports The Times of Israel. The IDF over the past few days has deployed additional ground troops to the border with Gaza.

Muslims perform the morning Eid al-Fitr prayer, marking the end of the holy fasting month of Ramadan, outside the Dome of the Rock mosque in the Al-Aqsa mosque compound

Several nights of clashes between Palestinian protesters and Israeli police, particularly around the Al-Aqsa mosque, spiralled early this week into a barrage of rocket fire from Gaza and deadly Israeli air strikes in retaliation. Credit: AFP Photo

Photos of Hamas leaders seen inside the compound of the al-Aqsa compound, the focal point of tensions

Red alert sirens ring in several areas of southern Israel.

Rally held outside Israeli Consulate in NYC in support of Palestinians

Protesters demanding an end to Israeli aggression against Palestine march in the street in Midtown Manhattan in New York City. Recent violence between the Israeli military and Palestinians in Jerusalem has left dozens dead as activists around the world denounce attacks on the city's Al-Aqsa Mosque. Credit: AFP Photo/Getty Images

Israel's Home Front Command says no rockets landed in northern Israel last night

Red alert sirens were heard close to the Lebanon border, however, the north of the country did not see any rockets land in the region.

Red alert sirens go off for 5th time in Southern Israel

No reports of rockets landing in areas bordering Gaza after multiple air raid sirens went on since dawn.

Israel-Palestinian conflict escalates as rockets fly, street violence flares

Israel faced an escalating conflict on two fronts Thursday, scrambling to quell riots between Arabs and Jews on its own streets after days of exchanging deadly fire with Palestinian militants in Gaza.

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A Palestinian child should be sitting in a classroom, not in rubble, says Malala Yousufzai

Nobel Prize winner appeals to world leaders to act to protect human rights of Palestinians.

67 Palestinians killed including 16 children; 6 Israelis dead in rocket attacks

Over 67 Palestinians, including 16 children, have died since the start of the conflict on Monday, Palestinian health officials said. The rockets fired by Hamas and its ally, the Islamic Jihad militant group, killed at least six Israeli civilians, including a 5-year-old boy, and one soldier.

Canada's Jagmeet Singh calls for halt on Canadian arms sales to Israel

Canadian MP Jagmeet Singh called for Justin Trudeau to stop sales of arms to Israel after fresh clashes between the country and Palestine, according to a report by The Globe and Mail

59 treated for smoke inhalation after fire in Northern's Israel's Haifa city

59 people, mostly children, have been treated after they inhaled smoke in an incident of arson where five vehicles were set on fire in a parking lot of an 8-storey building in Northern Israel's Haifa city, according to a report by Times of Israel

Israeli security forces advance as they clash with Palestinians in the city centre of the West Bank town of Hebron

The most intense hostilities in seven years between Israel and Gaza's armed groups were triggered by weekend unrest at Jerusalem's Al-Aqsa mosque compound, which is sacred to both Muslims and Jews. Credit: AFP Photo

More neighbourhoods in South Israel hear red alert air raid alarms

Red alert sirens wail in South Israel's Sderot She’ar Hanegev

This comes minutes after another red alert siren in Kerem Shalom community near Gaza Strip.

The imam of al-Aqsa Mosque prays for Gaza and its people at dawn prayers on the first day of Eid al-Fitr

Red alert sirens ring in Southern Israel after a 3 hour respite in rocket attacks.

Sirens were sounded in Kerem Shalom community in the South of Israel bordering the Gaza Strip.

25 House Democrats call on Secretary of State Anthony Blinken to condemn Sheikh Jarrah evictions.

Pro-Palestine ultra-Orthodox Jews counter protesters are confronted by Pro-Israel supporters during a Pro-Israel rally at Times Square in New York City. Credit: Reuters Photo

Read out of call between President Biden and PM Benjamin Netanyahu

Senator ⁦Marco Rubio and 43 Republican Senators send letter to ⁦Joe Biden on Israel-Palestine

"In light of recent attacks by Hamas against Israel, US should...under no circumstances, provide sanctions relief to Iran," reads the letter.

UN Security Council to hold new meeting on Israel-Palestinian clashes on May 14

Tunisia, Norway and China have requested another emergency UN Security Council meeting be scheduled Friday on the worsening hostilities between Israel and Palestinians, despite ongoing US resistance for the body to take a role in the conflict.

The session would be public and would include participation by Israel and the Palestinians, diplomats told AFP Wednesday.

The Council has already held two closed-door videoconferences since Monday, with the United States -- a close Israel ally -- opposing adoption of a joint declaration, which it said would not "help de-escalate" the situation.

Scores of protesters gather at Times Square in protest against violence in Israel and Palestine

Pro-Palestine ultra-Orthodox Jews counter-protest a pro-Israel rally at Times Square in New York City. Credit: Reuters Photo

Fire billows from Israeli air strikes in the Gaza Strip, controlled by the Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas

Around 1,500 rockets have been fired from Gaza into Israeli cities since hostilities escalated between Hamas militants and Israel earlier in the week, Israel's army said on Thursday. Credit: AFP Photo

Israel steps up Gaza offensive, kills senior Hamas figures

While United Nations and Egyptian officials have said that cease-fire efforts are underway, there were no signs of progress. Israeli television's Channel 12 reported late Wednesday that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Security Cabinet authorised a widening of the offensive.

Hamas, claiming to be defending Jerusalem, launched a barrage of rockets at the city late Monday, setting off days of fighting.

Explained | What is Hamas? What's their role in Palestine?

Over the past few days of escalating conflict between Israel and Palestine, Hamas, a militant organisation, has come to the limelight once again. They claim to have launched several rocket attacks on Israel as retaliation for incidents in East Jerusalem and offensive action from Israeli Defence Forces.

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Blinken urges 'need to end rocket attacks' in call with Abbas

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Wednesday he spoke with Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas, urging an end to rocket attacks amid escalating tensions with Israel.

"I spoke with President Abbas about the ongoing situation in Jerusalem, the West Bank and Gaza," the US top diplomat posted on Twitter. "I expressed condolences for the loss of life. I emphasized the need to end rocket attacks and deescalate tensions."

Palestinians clash with Israeli security forces in the city centre of the West Bank town of Hebron. Credit: AFP Photo

The most intense hostilities in seven years between Israel and Gaza's armed groups were triggered by weekend unrest at Jerusalem's Al-Aqsa mosque compound, which is sacred to both Muslims and Jews.