Israel: Hamas fires rockets at several cities

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Smoke rises as Palestinian militants in the Gaza Strip fire a missile aimed at Israel

Photo: MOHAMMED SALEM / REUTERS

Jerusalem does not come to rest after the riots that lasted for days.

According to Israeli media reports, rockets fell near the holy city that evening.

A reporter from Reuters news agency heard several explosions.

Previously there had been a rocket alarm in Jerusalem.

According to Reuters, the radical Islamic Hamas confessed to the attack.

It is classified as a terrorist organization by the USA and the EU.

In the afternoon, Hamas issued an ultimatum calling for the Israeli security forces to withdraw from the Temple Mount and the Muslim quarter of Sheikh Jarrah in East Jerusalem.

However, Hamas initially did not mention the consequences.

A Hamas spokesman said rockets were fired at Jerusalem as an "embassy" to the Israeli enemy.

It is a "reaction to his crimes and aggression against the holy city."

Israel intercepts missile and evacuates parliament

The Israeli military said a total of seven rockets had been shot down.

One was intercepted by the "iron dome" defense system.

According to media reports, the parliament in Jerusalem was evacuated.

The MPs were brought to shelters.

Violent clashes between Palestinians and Israeli security forces have been going on in Jerusalem for days.

The riots on the Temple Mount escalated again on Monday.

According to the Palestinian Red Crescent, more than 300 people were injured.

According to the Israeli police, almost two dozen officers were injured.

"Flag march" canceled, wailing wall cleared

The protests were triggered by the threat of eviction of around 30 Palestinians from their homes in the Sheikh Jarrah district, which the Israelis had claimed.

The Israeli celebrations for "Jerusalem Day" are creating additional tension.

The country is celebrating the conquest of the Arab eastern part of Jerusalem, including the Old City, during the Six Day War in 1967.

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Israeli forces at the Jerusalem Damascus Gate

Photo: Ilia Yefimovich / dpa

Because of the violent clashes, the Israeli authorities also cleared the Western Wall that evening.

Hundreds of Jewish believers were therefore brought to safety, it was said.

A planned “flag march” on the occasion of “Jerusalem Day” through the old city of Jerusalem was canceled due to security concerns.

UN Security Council deliberates in emergency meeting

The UN Security Council held an emergency meeting to discuss the escalation of violence in Jerusalem.

The council members were initially unable to agree on a joint statement, as several diplomats from the AFP news agency said.

Federal Foreign Minister Heiko Maas (SPD) warned after the clashes that the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians could escalate.

"We can only ask all sides to de-escalate in this really explosive situation," said Maas.

fek / AFP / dpa