Crisis in Jerusalem: Prayers for Peace as Violence Goes on

The US, the European Union and the United Kingdom have appealed to Israel and Palestine to reduce tensions as soon as possible, writes BBCPeriscope broadcast.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Hamas should end missile attacks “immediately”, adding: “All sides should de-terrate”.

White House spokesman Jen Psaki echoed those calls, saying US President Joe Biden was seriously concerned about the violence.

In a tweet, United Kingdom Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said rocket attacks “should be halted”, calling for “an end to target civilian population”.

EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said that the sensitive growth of violence “on the West Coast, Gaza and East Jerusalem “should stop immediately”.

Violence escalated Monday evening after Palestinian militants opened missiles towards Jerusalem.

In response, the Israeli Army launched air strikes against militant targets in the Gaza Strip.

Palestinian health officials in Gaza said 22 people, including children, had died in the attacks.

Israel's army said at least 15 members of the Hamas group ruling Gaza were among those killed.

Hamas had threatened to strike after hundreds of Palestinians were injured in clashes with Israeli police at a holy site in Jerusalem on Monday.

Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyah said Hamas had “crossed the red line” and that Israel would respond “with great force”./Periscopi/