I am alarmed by recent escalations in Jerusalem and around Gaza, says UN envoy

Occupied Jerusalem (QNN)- The UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process Tor Wennesland said the UN is working with all concerned parties to de-escalate the situation in Jerusalem and the Gaza Strip.

.@TWennesland alarmed by the recent escalations in #Jerusalem & around #Gaza. Provocative acts across Jerusalem must cease. The indiscriminate launching of rockets must stop immediately. #UN is working with all concerned to de-escalate.
His full statement: https://t.co/TwTUP0m1Yt pic.twitter.com/XMJW6CnsNW

— UNSCO (@UNSCO_MEPP) April 24, 2021

“I am alarmed by the recent escalations in Jerusalem and around Gaza. Over the last 48 hours there was a spike of violent clashes between Israelis and Palestinians in Jerusalem and the launching of rockets by militants in Gaza,” said the UN official in a statement.

“The provocative acts across Jerusalem must cease. The indiscriminate launching of rockets towards Israeli population centers violates international law and must stop immediately.”

Wennesland also condemned “all such acts of violence” and reiterated the call upon all sides to “exercise maximum restraint and avoid further escalation, particularly during the Holy month of Ramadan and this politically charged time for all.”

The UN is working with all concerned parties to de-escalate the situation, he concluded his statement.

Early today, the Israeli warplanes targeted several locations throughout the Gaza strip.

Three citizens have been wounded by Israeli fire in eastern Gaza.

The Palestinian resistance on the night of Friday fired three missiles from the Gaza strip at nearby Israeli settlements following a statement supporting the uprising in occupied Jerusalem.

The missiles came a few hours after a statement by the common room, announcing its support to the locals in the occupied Jerusalem city and warning the occupation state of the consequences of its violations against Jerusalemites and the holy places in the holy city.

This came after a wave of violence against Palestinians in the city, as dozens of Palestinians were wounded by extremist Israeli settlers, in violent confrontations that erupted in the Old City of Jerusalem on Thursday night, following a march by far-right Israelis.

The march organized by the far-right, anti-Arab group Lehava followed a week of violent assaults on Palestinians living inside the Green Lines and Palestinian residents of central Jerusalem.

Chanting “Death To Arabs,” the far-right Israelis attempted to break through police roadblocks and assaulted left-wing Israelis protesting against Lehava.

Ahead of the march, far-right Israelis called for violence and urged others to arm themselves in social media posts.

In one message group, a member wrote: “If one of the attackers isn’t hanged, this won’t end,” while in another group a member wrote: “We’re burning Arabs today, the Molotov cocktails are already in the trunk.”

On Thursday, the Israeli occupation forces attacked Palestinian worshipers while they were leaving the Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied Jerusalem following night-time (Taraweh) prayers.

The Israeli police used water cannons and stun grenades to clamp down on the worshipers at the Damascus Gate area, on the south entrance to the Old City.

The first provocation by Israeli occupation forces came last Tuesday, the first day of Ramadan, when Israeli police turned off speakers around the al-Aqsa Mosque.

The Israeli forces also blocked thousands of Palestinians from towns and villages of the occupied West Bank from reaching Al-Aqsa Mosque to perform the first Friday prayer of the holy month of Ramadan.

Moreover, in the same day, the Israeli forces seized the Iftar (end of fast) meals intended for the people who were fasting near the Mosque compound, smashed the door of a mosque in the area, and sabotaged the loudspeakers prevent the call for the evening prayer from Al-Aqsa Mosque’s minarets.