Rockets Intercepted over Central Jerusalem in Tense Escalation

Jerusalem, Israel - In a tense development, multiple rockets were intercepted over central Jerusalem on Friday, December 15th, 2023. This incident marks a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestinian militants in the Gaza Strip.

According to reports from AFP journalists, sirens blared across the city as six rockets were launched towards Jerusalem. The Israeli military confirmed that three of those rockets were successfully intercepted by the Iron Dome missile defense system, while the remaining three landed in unpopulated areas.

"We saw two explosions and heard three blasts," an AFP journalist reported from the scene. "Paramedics rushed to the scene after the alarm was raised in Jerusalem and nearby Beit Shemesh, but there are no reports of injuries at this time."

The Israeli military spokesperson stated that the rockets were fired by the Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of the Palestinian Hamas movement. Hamas claimed responsibility for the attack, citing it as a "response to the Zionist massacres of civilians."

This latest incident comes amidst heightened tensions in the region. Earlier this week, Israeli forces launched airstrikes on targets in Gaza in response to rocket attacks on southern Israel. The Israeli military also confirmed ongoing ground operations in the Gaza Strip, targeting Hamas and Islamic Jihad positions.

The international community has expressed growing concern over the escalating violence. The United Nations Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, called for an immediate de-escalation and urged both sides to protect civilians. The European Union also condemned the rocket attacks and called for a return to dialogue.

As of now, the situation remains volatile, and the potential for further escalation is high. The international community is closely monitoring the situation and urging both sides to exercise restraint and work towards a peaceful resolution.