Israel mobilizes reservists amid an escalation of tension

Tel Aviv, Apr 8 (RHC) The Chief of Staff of the Israeli Army, General Herzi Halevi, ordered the mobilization of reservists amid an increase in tension after the recent police assaults on the Jerusalem Al Aqsa Mosque.

Halevi did not specify the number of soldiers who will be called up for service, although the national press revealed that emphasis will be placed on members of the Air Force (IAF), including fighter pilots and drone operators.

Another objective of the decision is to increase the military presence in the occupied West Bank.

The tension escalated on Tuesday night due to the decision of the Israeli Police to evict the Palestinian faithful present at that time in the mosque as is customary during Ramadan, a holy month for Muslims.

The plan was to allow Jews to enter the site as part of the activities for the Easter celebrations.

The area is revered by both Muslims, who call it the Noble Sanctuary, and Jews, who know it as the Temple Mount.

The actions of the armed forces have since unleashed clashes inside and around the mosque, which has provoked numerous international criticisms, especially in Arab and Muslim countries.

In response, Palestinian militias fired rockets at Israel from the Gaza Strip and southern Lebanon, which, in turn, provoked retaliation from that country.

In the last three days, these groups fired rockets at the neighboring nation, whose Air Force responded with bombings against various points in the coastal enclave.

The health authorities of the strip denounced this Friday that the recent aviation attacks caused damage to the Al Durra Children’s Hospital.

According to Israeli media, during the current crisis, the IAF dropped more than 50 tons of bombs against the territory, where more than two million Palestinians live. (Source: PL)