Militant group’s attack came amid rising tensions after Israeli police action in Old City
The militant group Hamas has fired rockets into Israel from Gaza just minutes after the passing of its ultimatum for Israel to withdraw security forces from both the Jerusalem compound that is home to the al-Aqsa mosque and the Old City’s Sheikh Jarrah neighbourhood.
Residents of the city reported hearing air raid sirens shortly after 6pm local time when the ultimatum was due to expire, and the sound of three distant explosions, although it was not clear if the detonations were rockets exploding or anti-rocket systems being deployed. Air raid sirens were also reported near the coastal city of Ashkelon.
