Skip to main content

Jerusalem hit by Hamas rockets

After demanding Israeli police withdraw from the Temple Mount compound, Hamas fired this evening several rockets at Jerusalem and at Israeli communities in the south.
Israeli security forces fire tear gas at Palestinian protesters along the Israel-Gaza border, east of Khan Yunis town in the southern Gaza Strip on May 8, 2021. Israel braced for more protests after clashes at Jerusalem's flashpoint Al-Aqsa Mosque compound wounded more than 200 people and as the international community urged calm after days of escalating violence. The clashes came as tensions have soared over Israeli restrictions on access to parts of the Old City during Ramadan and the threat of eviction h

Seven rockets were fired at Jerusalem and more rockets at other communities in Israel this evening, right after the ultimatum issued by Hamas expired. The Gaza-ruling group had warned earlier in the day that Israel must withdraw its security forces from the Temple Mount compound and from the east Jerusalem Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood, or else it would retaliate. Both locations, together with the Old City’s Damascus Gate, have become in recent days flashpoints for violence and confrontation.

Sirens warning over rocket fire sounded this evening in Jerusalem and its environs; in the town of Beit Shemesh, not far from Jerusalem; in the southern towns of Ashkelon, Ashdod and Sderot; and in the villages near the border with Gaza. Knesset members were evacuated from the parliament’s plenum when sirens sounded in Jerusalem. Some air traffic was rerouted. One house in the village of Bein Nekufa near Jerusalem was damaged, but so far there are no reports of injuries. Authorities have ordered schools within a radius of 40 kilometers from the Israel-Gaza border to shut down tomorrow, and several roads in the region near the border with Gaza are now blocked for traffic.

The rocket fire from Gaza comes as tension in Jerusalem reaches heights. This morning, police clashed with thousands of Palestinian worshipers who had gathered at the Temple Mount compound during the night. When entering the compound, worshipers attacked the police with rocks, bottles and other makeshift weapons. News sites reported on Palestinian residents at Sheikh Jarrah and near the Damascus Gate celebrating the rockets on Jerusalem.

This morning, police said it would maintain the original route approved for the Jerusalem dance-flag march organized by Jewish religious nationalists every year. The march celebrates Jerusalem Day, which marks the unification of the city after the 1967 Six-Day War. Palestinians perceive this annual march as a provocation, as thousands of marchers stride through the Muslim quarter in the Old City with Israeli flags and songs, onto the Western Wall plaza.

Still, after clashes at the Temple Mount, the Shin Bet recommended altering the route of the march so it does not pass through the Damascus Gate. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accepted the recommendations of the Shin Bet and ordered the route altered just minutes before the march was set to begin. The march was rerouted to pass through the Jaffa Gate instead.

Police Commissioner Kobi Shabtai said this afternoon to the press, "Warnings about shooting, we get them all the time. We will continue enabling freedom of religious practice in Jerusalem for all religions. The decision not to pass through the Damascus Gate was taken for operational reasons." The march was suspended for a while when sirens sounded in Jerusalem.

Israel now prepares for several days of escalation. The Israel Defense Forces spokesperson told Israel’s public broadcaster Kan that Hamas will feel the extent of the IDF’s might. "Reaction will be sharp and will not last minutes but days," he noted. The IDF retaliated this evening, firing at several Hamas targets. Reportedly, the security Cabinet that convened this afternoon authorized the army to retaliate with airstrikes only. The army also said it was sending reinforcements to the Gaza Division.

The UN Security Council is set to meet on Jerusalem violence this evening. Reports say the Biden administration had urged Israel yesterday to change the route of the march and try to calm tensions, but that Israeli officials have argued the administration shouldn't intervene over the recent escalation in violence. France voiced today concern over escalating violence in Jerusalem. The French Foreign Ministry condemned Gaza rocket fire but also expressed deep concerns over the intention to evacuate Palestinian residents of Sheikh Jarrah out of their homes. For the moment, official Israel did not react to this statement.

Join hundreds of Middle East professionals with Al-Monitor PRO.

Business and policy professionals use PRO to monitor the regional economy and improve their reports, memos and presentations. Try it for free and cancel anytime.

Already a Member? Sign in

Free

The Middle East's Best Newsletters

Join over 50,000 readers who access our journalists dedicated newsletters, covering the top political, security, business and tech issues across the region each week.
Delivered straight to your inbox.

Free

What's included:
Our Expertise

Free newsletters available:

  • The Takeaway & Week in Review
  • Middle East Minute (AM)
  • Daily Briefing (PM)
  • Business & Tech Briefing
  • Security Briefing
  • Gulf Briefing
  • Israel Briefing
  • Palestine Briefing
  • Turkey Briefing
  • Iraq Briefing
Expert

Premium Membership

Join the Middle East's most notable experts for premium memos, trend reports, live video Q&A, and intimate in-person events, each detailing exclusive insights on business and geopolitical trends shaping the region.

$25.00 / month
billed annually

Become Member Start with 1-week free trial
What's included:
Our Expertise AI-driven

Memos - premium analytical writing: actionable insights on markets and geopolitics.

Live Video Q&A - Hear from our top journalists and regional experts.

Special Events - Intimate in-person events with business & political VIPs.

Trend Reports - Deep dive analysis on market updates.

All premium Industry Newsletters - Monitor the Middle East's most important industries. Prioritize your target industries for weekly review:

  • Capital Markets & Private Equity
  • Venture Capital & Startups
  • Green Energy
  • Supply Chain
  • Sustainable Development
  • Leading Edge Technology
  • Oil & Gas
  • Real Estate & Construction
  • Banking

We also offer team plans. Please send an email to pro.support@al-monitor.com and we'll onboard your team.

Already a Member? Sign in

Israel Briefing Israel Briefing

Israel Briefing

Top Israel stories in your inbox each week

Trend Reports

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (4th R) attends a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping (3rd L) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on February 22, 2019. (Photo by HOW HWEE YOUNG / POOL / AFP) (Photo credit should read HOW HWEE YOUNG/AFP via Getty Images)
Premium

From roads to routers: The future of China-Middle East connectivity

A general view shows the solar plant in Uyayna, north of Riyadh, on March 29, 2018. - On March 27, Saudi announced a deal with Japan's SoftBank to build the world's biggest solar plant. (Photo by FAYEZ NURELDINE / AFP) (Photo credit should read FAYEZ NURELDINE/AFP via Getty Images)
Premium

Regulations on Middle East renewable energy industry starting to take shape

Start your PRO membership today.

Join the Middle East's top business and policy professionals to access exclusive PRO insights today.

Join Al-Monitor PRO Start with 1-week free trial