Clashes between Palestinians in Jerusalem and the Israeli police erupted after Jewish settlers marched in the city chanting slogans against Arabs.
The confrontations developed in the West Bank, as the Palestinian factions launched 36 missiles from the Gaza Strip towards the settlements.
Israel responded with a series of air and artillery raids, prompting Israeli Chief of Staff Aviv Kochavi to cancel his scheduled trip to the US.
Kochavi held a special session to weigh "a series of steps for possible responses," to the rocket fire. He was to depart for Washington on Sunday in what would have been his first work trip to the US, according to a statement by the Israeli army.
After that, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu chaired a session to assess the situation and also directed his army to prepare for any development.
Informed sources told Asharq Al-Awsat that Egypt, the UN, and other parties contacted the Palestinian Authority, Israel, and the Palestinian factions to avoid a possible escalation in the Strip and prevent this round of confrontation from turning into a war.
The sources emphasized that both Israel and Hamas do not want any further escalation in Gaza.
UN envoy Tor Wennesland told Asharq Al-Awsat that he is working with all parties to contain the escalation in the region, calling for the cessation of all “provocative acts” in Jerusalem and halting the launch of projectiles from Gaza.
The UN official called upon all sides to exercise maximum restraint and avoid further escalation, particularly during the Holy month of Ramadan and this politically charged time for all.
Gaza witnessed the worst escalation in several months, with at least 36 projectiles fired towards Israeli settlements in a message of support for Jerusalemites.
Hamas warned Israel against committing “foolish” actions that could “harm the people of Jerusalem and al-Aqsa Mosque.
“Israel's escalation in Gaza, the bombardment of the resistance positions, and violations against Jerusalem and al-Aqsa Mosque are part of its aggressive policies on our people," spokesman Fawzi Barhoum.
Barhoum said Israel would bear the consequences of the “racist and provocative” actions of the policemen and “settlers” in Jerusalem.
The "Islamic Jihad" organization said in a statement that the resistance will respond to any aggression and won't allow the balance of deterrence to be disrupted.
“The unity and solidarity of our people will foil the enemy's plans,” said the statement, warning that “Aqsa Mosque and Jerusalemites are redlines.”
Several factions claimed their responsibility for the missiles, saying they are within the framework of responding to the crimes of the occupation and in support of Jerusalem and al-Aqsa.
Hamas did not fire any rockets, but Israeli officials realize that the movement allowed others to launch the missiles. In response, the Israeli army raided Hamas sites, including a military site, underground infrastructure, and platforms.
The Izzadin al-Qassam Brigades, Hamas' military wing, warned Israel “not to test” its patience.
The Israeli Channel Kan 11 said that both sides are trying to contain the situation. Hamas informed Egypt that it did not want an escalation, according to Channel 13.
Jerusalem has been witnessing violent clashes since Thursday evening between Palestinians and settlers backed by the Israeli police.
At least 125 people were injured when Palestinian protesters, angered by chants of "death to Arabs" from far-right Jewish demonstrators, clashed repeatedly with police.
During the past two days, the clashes expanded, and videos showed Jewish extremists chanting against Arabs, throwing stones, and setting fire to an intersection in Jerusalem. They attacked an Arab family's house inside the Old City and Arab workers in a vegetable market.
Most of the Jewish attackers belong to the far-right organization “Lahava", which called for marches in Jerusalem under the slogan “death to Arabs” and “Arabs get out.”
In return, the Palestinians attacked the extremists and clashed with the Israeli police, which kept Palestinians away from the Damascus Gate. The police used bullets, gas, and batons, and arrested many of them.
The confrontations soon spread to the West Bank, which witnessed clashes between demonstrators and Israeli soldiers leaving many casualties.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas supported Jerusalemites as well as the demonstrators in the West Bank.
