Hamas has launched rockets into Jerusalem on Monday while thousands of Israeli citizens celebrated the Jerusalem Day holiday.
The organization, which is the unofficial administrator of the Gaza Strip, issued threats earlier that day to punish the nation of Israel for violence against Palestinians.
The IDF (Israeli Defense Force) activated reinforcements and closed roads as violence peaked. Bomb shelters took in citizens of Kiryat Melachi and Ashkelon, two cities that border the region.
The IDF reported seven rockets were launched at the capital city and one was shot down by Israel’s missile defense system, according to the Jerusalem Post.
An IDF official said these attacks “won’t be allowed to go by quietly.”
“Hamas will meet justice for this,” said Brig. Gen. Hidai Zilberman, who said the events were “inexcusable.” “We have many options.”
Israel officially responded on Monday using air strikes on Gaza, killing nine people, including three children.
Hamas said the rockets were in response to Israel’s “aggression and crimes in the holy city.”
Israeli police and Palestinians fought on Friday at the Al-Aqsa compound, a holy site which is important to both Jews and Muslims.
The Palestinian Red Crescent service reported that 136 people were hurt in these clashes, including 83 people being hospitalized.
Author: Steven Sinclaire
