Following the meeting, Netanyahu also called for “calm on all sides” after several nights of clashes between Palestinians and Israeli security forces in Jerusalem and the West Bank, the worst violence seen in years.
“First of all we want to ensure that law and order are respected… now we demand compliance with the law and I call for calm on all sides,” Netanyahu said in a statement after the meeting.
In a briefing with the heads of regional councils in areas near the Gaza Strip, Gantz said that the military was ready in the event of an escalation in the Palestinian enclave and “will do what is necessary” to restore calm, according to his office.
Earlier, the military announced that Kohavi has delayed a planned trip to the United States to discuss the threat of Iran’s nuclear program and its entrenchment throughout the region.
Kohavi had met with security chiefs to discuss the situation following the firing of 36 rockets at Israel overnight from the Gaza Strip and amid clashes between Palestinians and Israeli security forces in Jerusalem and the West Bank.
“In assessing the situation, the chief of staff ordered a series of possible steps, responses and assessments for escalation,” the Israel Defense Forces said in a statement.
Fresh clashes between Israeli forces, Palestinians in Jerusalem and West Bank
Fresh scuffles between Israeli police and Palestinians broke out at Damascus Gate in Jerusalem’s Old City on Saturday night, following week-long tensions and renewed rocket fire from the Gaza Strip toward southern Israel.
The Palestinian Red Crescent reported that six Palestinians required medical care, including one taken to hospital for treatment. It did not specify how they were injured.
Fresh scuffles between Israeli police and Palestinians broke out at Damascus Gate in Jerusalem’s Old City on Saturday night, following week-long tensions and renewed rocket fire from the Gaza Strip toward southern Israel.
The Palestinian Red Crescent reported that six Palestinians required medical care, including one taken to hospital for treatment. It did not specify how they were injured.
Unrest was reported in a number of different areas. Near the Qalandiya crossing between Jerusalem and Ramallah, a spokesperson for the Border Police said forces were “dealing with about a hundred rioters brandishing firebombs, stones, and fireworks” and responding with riot dispersal means.
Hundreds of Palestinians also marched toward Israeli checkpoints across the West Bank in solidarity with East Jerusalem Palestinians, leading to confrontations. According to reports in the Palestinian media, Palestinians hurled stones and burned garbage cans close to Jenin’s Jalameh checkpoint during the protest. Palestinians also demonstrated close to Nablus’s Huwarra checkpoint and Hebron’s Bab al-Zawiyeh, which borders a crossing within the city administered by the Israeli military.
There have been nightly disturbances in Jerusalem since the start of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan on April 13, amid Palestinian anger over police blocking off access to the promenade around the walls of the Old City and a ban on gatherings. In an unofficial Jerusalem tradition, thousands of Palestinians sit in the area following nighttime prayers during Ramadan.
2 comments:
I can't be the only one sitting here saying, "Do something already!", am I?
Trust me Audio, you are not alone on that island :)
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