Jerusalem announcement: Israel launches airstrikes against Hamas in Gaza
The Israeli military said it has retaliated against rocket attacks by Palestinian militant group Hamas by targeting multiple sites belonging to the outfit. The military claims a weapon manufacturing site and an ammunition store were targeted in airstrikes. The strikes come as tensions simmer between the Israelis and Palestinians since US President Trump recognized Jerusalem as Israel's capital on December 6.
Trump delivers on Israel promise, recognizes Jerusalem as capital
On December 7, Donald Trump recognized Jerusalem as the capital of Israel in a bold and unprecedented step that reversed decades of official US policy. Trump termed the move "a long overdue step to advance the middle-east peace process." The status of Jerusalem is central to Israel-Palestine conflict. Israel lauded the announcement while several world leaders criticized it.
Three rockets launched from Gaza towards Israel
At least two Palestinian men were killed by Israeli troops during clashes in Gaza. The Israeli military said one missile launched from Gaza was intercepted, a second was discovered on a wasteland while a third landed in Sderot. No casualties were reported. At least 25 Palestinians were injured in Israeli airstrikes which targeted Hamas sites on Friday. More strikes were conducted early Saturday morning.
217 Palestinians injured in clashes with Israel
On Friday, senior Hamas leader Fathi Hammad said any country looking to move their embassy to Jerusalem would be "an enemy of the Palestinians." The Israeli military deployed additional battalions to the West Bank to prepare for potential violence after protests were called by Palestinian leaders after Friday prayers. Clashes in the West Bank and East Jerusalem have left 217 Palestinians wounded.
Protests against Trump's announcement spread abroad
Thousands of pro-Palestinians took to the streets in Middle Eastern countries of Jordan, Egypt, Iraq, Turkey, Tunisia, and Iran. Similar protests also took place across the Muslim-majority countries of Malaysia, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Indonesia. Protests were also held in Kashmir.
US slams UN, accuses it of anti-Israel bias
US ambassador to the UN, Nikki Haley, said America "recognizes the obvious; that Jerusalem is the capital of Israel" She said America remains "committed to achieving a lasting peace agreement." She claimed that the UN "has outrageously been one of the world's foremost centers of hostility towards Israel" She said neither the UN nor any other world body can bully Israel.
