Israel launched airstrikes on Gaza Monday as simmering tensions boiled over into widespread violence.
Earlier Monday, more than 300 Palestinians and 30 Israeli police were injured in protests near the al-Aqsa mosque.
Some of those injuries took place when a car driven by an Israeli man crashed into a group of rock-throwing protesters.
VIDEO: Police protect Israeli driver from angry Palestinian crowd after he had used his car as a weapon to ram into protesters. pic.twitter.com/F7j5d5ZEEx #Jerusalem #Israel ?? #Palestine ??
— Sam Pye (@freddie1999) May 10, 2021
As part of the anti-Israel violence, Hamas militants fired rockets into Israel, leading to the Israeli attack.
Israeli army spokesman Jonathan Conricus said Israeli forces had targeted “a Hamas military operative,” according to CBS.
Hamas sources in Gaza said a commander had been killed.
A report from the Associated Press published by USA Today said at least 20 people, including nine children, were killed by the Israeli attacks.
The Hamas rocket attacks targeted multiple sites in southern Israel as well as Jerusalem. Overall, about 150 rockets were launched, according to the Times of Israel.
Israel’s Iron Dome intercepts rockets fired by Hamas in Gaza
pic.twitter.com/qTcquz5brY— Daily Caller (@DailyCaller) May 10, 2021
A short while ago, thousands of Israelis ran for cover as Hamas fired rockets at civilian populations in Jerusalem, Ashkelon and Sderot. pic.twitter.com/2ZCrUDyPMY
— Israel Foreign Ministry (@IsraelMFA) May 10, 2021
About 10 people were injured in the rocket attacks.
Conricus said six rockets were aimed at Jerusalem in the first targeting of the city in seven years.
Abu Obeida, a spokesman for Hamas, said the attack on Jerusalem was due to Israeli “crimes and aggression” in the city.
“This is a message the enemy has to understand well,” he said.
The attack on Jerusalem crossed a “red line,” according to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu
“Whoever attacks us will pay a heavy price,” he said.
Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz said Israel’s goal is to “restore long-term and complete quiet,” according to the Times.
#WATCH: #Israeli retaliatory airstrikes against #Palestinian militants target a building belonging to the local #Hamas-dominated government in Al Maqousi, north of #Gaza city#Gaza #فلسطين #القدس_تنتفض #Israel #Palestine #News #MiddleEast #عاجل pic.twitter.com/TrpY9qdkYL
— Andrew Jose (@realandrewjose) May 10, 2021
He blamed the violence on Hamas, which the U.S. has designated as a terrorist organization.
“I would like to emphasize that the State of Israel has done everything and will do everything to protect freedom of worship. Hamas, which is targeting a civilian population, is the sole party responsible,” Gantz said.
This article appeared originally on The Western Journal.