Second day of violence
The United Nations believes there is a risk of a "full-scale war" amid growing tension between Israel and Palestinian militants.
At least 35 people are dead following a second day of violence between Israeli jets and Palestinian militant rockets in Gaza.
The Associated Press is reporting Hamas' Gaza City Commander has been killed in an airstrike.
BREAKING: Hamas says an Israeli airstrike killed its Gaza City commander, the highest-ranking militant to be killed since the 2014 war. https://t.co/yjE9u5MwPW
— The Associated Press (@AP) May 12, 2021
The death toll has been noted by medics on both sides of the conflict.
An emergency meeting of the UN Security Council began at 2pm this afternoon.
It's believed Israeli fighter jets have destroyed a 13-storey buiding in Gaza, in which at least 10 children died.
A 13-story residential tower in Gaza was hit by an Israeli air strike and soon after collapsed, witnesses said https://t.co/uNHbRZ1GD0 pic.twitter.com/IXJAc2kkc6
— Reuters (@Reuters) May 11, 2021
Militant group Hamas has said it launched 130 rockets toward the city of Tel Aviv, in which 5 children have died, in response to attacks.
Gaza's Hamas militants fire 130 rockets towards Tel Aviv - Hamas statement https://t.co/0rcQPPYsMQ pic.twitter.com/42JFJjQkJN
— Reuters (@Reuters) May 11, 2021
Palestinian Osama Suhuh's calling for help to stop the violence:
Israeli media reports Ireland's ambassador has been summoned to the country's foreign office following comments made by Minister Simon Coveney.
Ireland is among the nations at an emergency council meeting on the situation.
The Foreign Affairs Minister is appealing for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.
Ireland worked with other like minded countries last night to insist on an emergency UN Security Council session today (2pm Irish time) as Israel-Hamas violence escalates. Increasing numbers of civilians are being killed and injured. We need ceasefire now. https://t.co/a3U8oYtIfc
— Simon Coveney (@simoncoveney) May 12, 2021
The latest incidents follow days of violence in Jerusalem, including fighting at the Al-Aqsa mosque in the city, over the treatment of worshippers by police at a holy site during Ramadan.
Confrontations were prompted by plans to evict Palestinians in Jersualem to make way for Jewish settlers.
Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to intensify the attacks & warns militants they'll pay a "very heavy" price for the rockets.
2:00 בלילה - עדכון מעכשיו בעיר לוד: הנחתי להזרים כוחות לעיר, נעשה הכל כדי להחזיר את הסדר. pic.twitter.com/fDkCFiwb4G
— Benjamin Netanyahu - בנימין נתניהו (@netanyahu) May 12, 2021
Here at home, Chair of the Oireachtas Foreign Affairs Committee, Deputy Charlie Flanagan, is calling for an end to the violence:
Sky's Mark Stone, who is near the Gaza border, said the Israeli bombardment was ferocious:
Bel Trew, Middle East Correspondent with The Independent is in Israel, and says western leaders must intervene:
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