Israel has launched air strikes against militant targets in the Gaza Strip following rocket attacks from the territory towards Jerusalem. The Hamas-run Palestinian health ministry reported 20 deaths, including children, while Israel stated it had killed at least three Hamas militants.
The escalation came after Gaza's Hamas rulers threatened to strike following clashes in Jerusalem on Monday, where hundreds of Palestinians were injured in confrontations with Israeli police. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Hamas had 'crossed a red line' and that Israel would respond 'with great force'.
In Jerusalem, rocket fire caused the evacuation of Israel's parliament as air raid sirens sounded. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken called on Hamas to end the rocket attacks 'immediately' and urged all sides to de-escalate.
The violence follows days of unrest in East Jerusalem, including clashes at the al-Aqsa mosque compound and protests over the threatened eviction of Palestinian families in the Sheikh Jarrah district. A planned Israeli nationalist march through the Old City was called off to avoid further provocation.
