Nine children were among at least 24 Palestinians killed in Israeli airstrikes in the besieged Gaza Strip, according to the Palestinian health ministry, as the events sparked by Israeli raid on Al Aqsa mosque are leading to a major crisis in the region.
The Gaza health ministry said the death toll from the Israeli attacks has risen to 24 people, including nine children, Al Jazeera reported. At least 106 others were wounded.
Israeli forces continued to bombard Gaza well into Tuesday morning, targeting sites in Khan Younis, al-Bureij refugee camp, and al-Zaitoun neighbourhood.
The attacks were carried out after Hamas fired several rockets at Israel, following the expiration of the group’s ultimatum demanding Israel stand down forces from the Al Aqsa Mosque compound in Jerusalem.
A spokesman for the Al-Qassam Brigades, Hamas’ military wing, had yesterday said in a statement that the group would respond if Israel does not “break the siege on worshippers in Al Aqsa Mosque”.
Earlier on Monday tensions at the Al Aqsa compound, the third holiest in Islam, escalated with more than 300 Palestinians wounded when Israeli police stormed the mosque, firing rubber bullets, stun grenades and tear gas.
