Tensions high as Israel conducts air strikes on Gaza and Lebanon

By Nathan Morley

Israel’s armed forces have struck targets linked to Palestinian militant group Hamas inside Lebanon and across the Gaza Strip.

The Israeli response came after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held an urgent security cabinet meeting in Jerusalem.

Israelis blame Hamas for launching the biggest single barrage from Israel’s northern neighbour in 17 years, which saw 34 rockets  intercepted – but six caused damage to local buildings. 

In their response attack, the Israel Defense Forces said Hamas  infrastructure was hit in southern Lebanon.

Furthermore, Israel launched an airstrike on the Palestinian enclave of Gaza Strip late Thursday night, in response to the earlier rocket attacks from Lebanon. 

Meanwhile the European Union is exerting efforts to defuse the Israeli-Palestinian tension over the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in East Jerusalem, and enable worshipers to perform religious rituals without any obstacles. 

For the past two days, the Al-Aqsa Mosque has witnessed violent clashes between Palestinian worshipers and the Israeli police.

Earlier this week, the Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan strongly condemned Israel’s raid on the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound.