Jewish and Arab mobs battled in the central city of Lod, the epicenter of the troubles, for a fourth consecutive night, despite a state of emergency and heavy police presence. The confrontations erupted again late Thursday. The violent clashes between Arabs and Jews in Israel resulted in scenes not witnessed in more than two decades. Israel regards Jerusalem in its entirety as its capital, while the Palestinians want east Jerusalem to be the capital of their future state. A focal point of clashes was Jerusalem’s Al-Aqsa Mosque, built on a hilltop compound that is revered by Jews and Muslims. The current eruption of violence began a month ago in Jerusalem, where heavy-handed Israeli police tactics during Ramadan and the threatened eviction of dozens of Palestinian families by Jewish settlers ignited protests and clashes with police. “It is all airstrikes, destruction and devastation,” he said. Hassan Abu Shaaban tried to lighten the mood by passing out candy to passers-by but acknowledged “there is no atmosphere” for celebrating. Instead, the streets of Gaza were mostly empty. The fighting cast a pall over the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Fitr, normally marked by family gatherings and festive meals. Hamas military spokesman Abu Obeida said the group was not afraid of a ground invasion, saying any invasion would be a chance “to increase our catch” of dead or captive soldiers. Hamas also launched a drone that Israel said it quickly shot down. The rocket landed in the open desert but briefly disrupted flight traffic at the southern Ramon airport. It launched several intense barrages of rockets throughout the day and fired its most powerful rocket, the Ayyash, nearly 200 kilometers (120 miles) into southern Israel. He said tanks, armored vehicles and artillery were being prepared “for mobilization at any given moment.” Hidai Zilberman, said troops were massing along the Gaza border for a possible ground operation. Late Thursday, Israel’s Defense Minister Benny Gantz ordered the mobilization of an additional 9,000 reservists. Hamas’ exiled leader, Ismail Haniyeh, was also in touch with the Egyptians, the group said. They spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to talk to the media.

The officials met first with Hamas leaders in Gaza before holding talks with Israelis in Tel Aviv, two Egyptian intelligence officials said. Thursday’s visit by Egyptian officials marked an important step in the cease-fire efforts.Įgypt often serves as a mediator between Israel and Hamas, and it has been a key player in ending past rounds of fighting.

He said the goal now is to “get to a point where there is a significant reduction in attacks, particularly rocket attacks that are indiscriminately fired into population centers.” He called the effort a “a work in progress.” In Washington, President Joe Biden said he spoke with Netanyahu about calming the fighting but also backed the Israeli leader by saying “there has not been a significant overreaction.” Seven people have been killed in Israel, including a 6-year-old boy. The Hamas and Islamic Jihad militant groups have confirmed 20 deaths in their ranks, though Israel says that number is much higher.

Gaza’s Health Ministry said the death toll has climbed to 109 Palestinians, including 28 children and 15 women, with 621 people wounded.

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