LATEST: In the worst flare-up of violence in 7 years, Israel launched airstrikes and Palestinian militants launched missiles overnight into Wednesday, killing 50+ people and injuring hundreds amid fears the conflict could spiral into all-out war.
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nbcnews.to/3blTzmh
What started as weeks of tense clashes in Jerusalem has escalated into violent unrest on the streets of Arab Israeli towns and a deadly aerial conflict — 1,000+ rockets lit up the skies of Israeli cities while at least one residential building was leveled in the Gaza Strip.
Tensions flared after Israeli police used stun grenades and rubber bullets at worshippers at the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, located in east Jerusalem, an important holy site for Muslims and Jews.
Israeli officials said this was in response to rocks thrown at their forces and toward the Western Wall, where thousands of Jews had gathered to pray.
The unrest has been fueled further by plans to evict Palestinian families from a neighborhood in east Jerusalem whose land is claimed by Jewish settlers and that is home to the tomb of an ancient Jewish high priest.
At least 53 people, including 14 children, were killed in the Israeli bombardment, per Gaza Health Ministry.
5 Israelis were killed in Ashkleon, Rishon Lezion, and Lod.
200+ people have been wounded in Israel, 300+ Palestinians have been injured, per officials.
5 Israelis were killed in Ashkleon, Rishon Lezion, and Lod.
200+ people have been wounded in Israel, 300+ Palestinians have been injured, per officials.
By Wednesday morning, some 1,050 rockets had been fired from Gaza toward Israel, the Israeli Defense Forces say. Between 85-90% were intercepted by Israel's Iron Dome defense system, officials say.
The Israeli military says it is "trying to minimize civilian casualties in Gaza" by only targeting Hamas-related sites and firing warning shots so civilians can escape. The military said it was investigating reports that Palestinian children have died.
Smoke billows from an Israeli air strike on the Hanadi compound in Gaza City on Tuesday.
📷 Mahmud Hams / AFP
📷 Mahmud Hams / AFP
Rockets launched from Gaza are intercepted by Israel's Iron Dome aerial defense system on Tuesday.
📷 Mohammed Abed / AFP
📷 Mohammed Abed / AFP
LATEST: At least 83 Palestinians and 7 Israelis have been killed as the Israeli military and the militant group Hamas continue to exchange barrages of airstrikes and rocket attacks, officials say.
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nbcnews.to/3uO7YiQ
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