Hamas and other terrorist organisations in Gaza fired a salvo of rockets at Jerusalem on 10 May Israel time, and additional salvos on Ashkelon and Israeli communities along the border with Gaza. This was an act designed by Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad to attack Jerusalem.
Hamas launched an indiscriminate attack on a civilian population, another war crime committed by the terrorist organisation, and assaulted the holiness of the city of Jerusalem.
Israel will take any action necessary to protect its citizens, and will not allow the terrorist organizations to attack the civilian population of Israel without a response. It is the right and the duty of every state to protect its citizens and that is what Israel will do.
We call on the international community to condemn the rocket fire and Palestinian terrorism targeting Israeli citizens in the strongest terms, as well as to support Israel’s right of self-defence.
The connection to the situation prior to today’s attacks:
Israel sought to achieve calm in Jerusalem. We took every measure to prevent conflict or violence, and to allow freedom of worship. These measures included postponing the Supreme Court hearing regarding Sheikh Jarrah, blocking Jews from visiting the Temple Mount, changing the route of the Flag March and then cancelling the event.
Moreover, Israel acted in a measured manner in response to the rockets and incendiary balloons that had been launched from the Gaza Strip, so as to prevent any escalation during this sensitive period.
Complete responsibility for the situation rests with the terrorist organisations, and on the unrestrained incitement by the Palestinian Authority.
