Israel’s army reported new rocket fire from the Gaza Strip earlier this morning. According to the army, two projectiles were intercepted by Israel’s “Iron Dome” air defense system, and two more had exploded within the Palestinian Territory.
The rocket fire is also widely seen as a reaction to police actions in the old city of Jerusalem. In order to reduce the tension there after the days of violent clashes between Israelis and Palestinians, the police released a previously cordoned off area yesterday.
The square in front of the Damascus Gate is a traditional meeting place for Palestinians during the holy Muslim month of Ramadan.
Triggered by right-wing extremist Israelis
Previously, there had been three consecutive violent clashes between Palestinians and police since Thursday. It was triggered by a demonstration by right-wing extremist Israelis who had roamed the Old City, shouting „Death to the Arabs“.
Tensions between Muslim Palestinians and Jewish Israelis had been fueled by a series of videos. They showed how young Arabs attack ultra-Orthodox Jews and how Jewish extremists harass Arabs on the street at night.
