Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed on Wednesday to continue the war on Gaza “until the last soldier,” according to a news alert from Al-Akhbariya TV.
Dozens of Israeli settlers stormed the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound on Wednesday, amid calls to intensify such incursions to coincide with the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah, which runs until the end of the week.
Witnesses said that Israeli forces allowed the settlers to enter the compound, provided them with protection, and allowed them to perform Jewish rituals.
In response, Israeli police stationed at the gates of the Old City and the gates of the Al-Aqsa Mosque prevented Palestinians from entering the compound, causing a significant decrease in the number of worshippers.
Earlier on Wednesday, Israeli forces demolished a residential building in the Ras al-Amud neighborhood of occupied East Jerusalem.
The escalation of violence comes as the 11-day conflict between Israel and Hamas shows no signs of abating. The conflict has killed over 230 Palestinians, including 65 children, and 12 Israelis, including two children.
The United Nations has called for an immediate ceasefire, but both sides have so far rejected calls for an end to the fighting.
