ISREAL-PALESTINE FIGHTING: DEATH TOLL IN TEL AVIV, GAZA RISES TO 43

As hostilities between Israel and Palestine continue to escalate, rocket sirens are going off across southern and central Israel while dozens of explosions have also been reported.

The health ministry run by the Hamas group reported that so far, 43 Palestinians , including children have been killed and 220 people injured in Israeli airstrikes in Gaza since the outbreak of hostilities, The Times of Israel reported. Meanwhile, sirens went off in communities near Gaza, in Beersheba where dozens of explosions were reported. Loud booms were reported near Tel Aviv as Hamas launched a massive barrage of rockets at the city.

Amid the escalating conflict, the Hamas’ military wing said it has launched 110 rockets at the city and at the nearby Ben Gurion airport. Several rockets were also fired at Ashkelon, Modiin and Tel Aviv.

Two people were seriously injured when a rocket hit their home in the city of Lod. The house has been completely destroyed while the wounded have been shifted to a hospital.

On the other hand, the Israel Defence Forces (IDF)said it has attacked “a number of significant terror sites and terrorists across the Gaza Strip”, reported The Times of Israel.

“It is 3 am and more rockets are being fired at Tel Aviv. Families are being woken up and rushed to bomb shelters,” it tweeted.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who declared a state of emergency in Lod as intense rioting has erupted in the Arab-Jewish city, is set to visit the area after midnight (local time).

“I have been receiving updates all day on what is happening here in the city and I view it extremely gravely. It is anarchy from rioters that we cannot accept,” he said, while promising to restore law and order.

The Assaf Harofeh hospital said it is treating 12 people wounded in the clashes in Lod, including two in serious condition, The Times of Israel reported.

This comes as the tensions between Israel and Palestine are rapidly escalating, with ramping up of rocket attacks and airstrikes from both sides. Three people have been killed in rocket strikes from Gaza towards Tel Aviv.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Tuesday (local time) spoke to Israel’s Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi and expressed his concerns over the escalating violence between Israel and Palestine, including the rocket attacks by the latter.

According to US Department of State spokesperson Ned Price, both leaders discussed the violence in Jerusalem, in particular on the Haram al-Sharif/Temple Mount and in Sheikh Jarrah. Blinken reiterated his call on all parties to de-escalate tensions and bring a halt to the violence, which has claimed the lives of Israeli and Palestinian civilians, including children.

The Secretary also emphasised the need for Israelis and Palestinians to be able to live in safety and security, as well as enjoy equal measures of freedom, security, prosperity, and democracy.

Ashkenazi and Blinken acknowledged the steadfast partnership between the United States and Israel, and committed to working together on challenges ahead, said Price.

Earlier, Price mentioned that the US is deeply concerned about the escalation between Israel and Palestine and said that both sides have the right to defend themselves.

“Israel has the right to defend itself and to respond to rocket attacks. The Palestinian people also have the right to safety and security, just as Israelis do,” he said at his daily press briefing.

Israeli supporters were seen screaming “What is Palestine?” as some waved the national flag of Israel.