1

JERUSALEM – After a day of rocket fire along the country's northern and southern borders and two days of unrest at Jerusalem's most sensitive holy site

2

the Israeli military launched strikes against targets in the Gaza Strip early on Friday,

3

escalating the situation and sparking a wider conflagration. Rapidly, Gaza militants launched another round of rockets, setting off air raid sirens all over southern Israel.

4

At least four loud explosions were heard in Gaza as a result of the Israeli airstrikes. According to the Israeli military, two weapons manufacturing facilities and two tunnels were destroyed.

5

It was the most recent indication of escalating tensions during a delicate holiday season. Israel and Hamas engaged in an 11-day war in similar clashes in 2021.

6

The airstrikes followed a heavy rocket barrage launched by Lebanese militants at Israel earlier in the day, forcing people to seek shelter in bomb shelters and

7

injuring at least two people. Additionally, militants in Gaza launched rockets at Israel.

8

Israeli military officials claimed that Palestinian militants were responsible for the rocket fire on both fronts in relation to this week's unrest at the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem's Old City,

9

where Israeli police repeatedly stormed the structure with tear gas and stun grenades. Tensions have increased throughout the region as a result of the violent scenes from the mosque.

10

The airstrikes came as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was meeting with his Security Cabinet to discuss the rocket fire