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Israeli police officers seen during clashes with protesters at Damascus Gate in Jerusalem s Old City, May 8, 2021. (Olivier Fitoussi/Flash90)
Israel’s security forces were on edge Sunday, after Jerusalem was rocked by violent Palestinian riots over the weekend amid tensions surrounding the Temple Mount, and following the firing of a rocket from the Gaza Strip at southern Israel late Saturday and clashes along the security fence with the coastal enclave.
Police and the military were bracing for renewed violence following the holiest night of Ramadan on Saturday night and with Sunday-Monday seeing Jewish celebrations of Jerusalem Day. Security officials fear the capital could potentially see an escalation in violence that would lead to a larger conflict.
Amid violent riots in capital, Supreme Court to hear appeal in case Monday; proceedings coincide with Jerusalem Day and planned march of Jewish nationalists through Old City
Judah Ari Gross is The Times of Israel s military correspondent.
IDF Chief fo Staff Aviv Kohavi, right, meets with Border Police officers who responded to a shooting attack in the West Bank two days prior, on May 9, 2021. (Israel Defense Forces)
The Israel Defense Forces deployed an additional three battalions to the West Bank on Sunday as it seeks to curb the growing violence in the area, the military said.
Those reinforcements units that were originally meant to be in training are in addition to four battalions already sent to the West Bank since the start of the month of Ramadan in April. That represents thousands more IDF soldiers deployed to the West Bank than usual.
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Illustrative: Israelis gather at the Old City s Damascus gate in Jerusalem on June 2, 2019 to celebrate Jerusalem Day (MENAHEM KAHANA / AFP)
Security officials are reportedly considering placing limits on Jerusalem Day events or canceling them entirely, as tensions remained high in the capital with further violence at the conclusion of Sunday morning prayers.
According to Hebrew media reports, the fast-moving situation meant that police were holding assessments every few hours to leave all options on the table for as long as possible ahead of the commemorations set to begin on Sunday evening.
Additionally, the Haaretz daily reported that security officials warned the cabinet that the contentious Flag March set to be held on Monday could lead to an escalation in violence.
État d alerte d élevé après les émeutes à Jérusalem et un tir de roquette à Gaza timesofisrael.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from timesofisrael.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.