The Israel-Palestine conflict

Fire and red rise from the Gaza Strip, which Israel attacked on Friday. Fatima Shbair / AP  

The violence escalates: Israel to attack in Lebanon and Gaza 

Israel has attacked several targets in Lebanon and the Gaza Strip early on Good Friday morning after attacks in the other direction on Maundy Thursday. The Israeli army states that the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, which rules Gaza, was behind all the attacks on Thursday. 

"The state of Lebanon is considered responsible for everything that happens on its territory," the army said in a statement.  

The AP news agency states that it is unusual for Israel to attack targets inside Lebanon, which could be a sign of an escalation. In Israel's statement, only Palestinian actors are singled out, but AP states that there is a risk that Lebanon's Iran-backed militia group Hezbollah will be drawn into the conflict. Hezbollah and Israel are bitter enemies.  

At the same time, the Israeli army states that 44 projectiles were fired at the country from the Gaza Strip last night, according to the Times of Israel.  

The UN calls on all sides to remain calm. The spiral of violence began on Wednesday after the unrest at al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem, when hundreds of Palestinians were arrested.  

Clouds of smoke in northern Israel after a rocket attack on Thursday. Fadi Amun / AP  

The UN warns of the development: "Risk of dangerous escalation"  

The UN peacekeeping force Unifil calls on all sides to remain calm after a series of rocket attacks between Israel and Palestine. Attacks have also been carried out from, and against, Lebanon.  

“Both sides have said they don't want war. The events of the last few days are dangerous and risk a serious escalation," Unifil writes in a statement.  

The violence has escalated since the events at al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem on Wednesday. Israeli police arrested over 350 Palestinian youths in the mosque, which is Islam's third holiest site. According to Israel, the youths had barricaded themselves in the mosque. The arrests led to large protests. 

In the midst of the unrest, several holidays are to be celebrated. The Jews celebrate Pesach, the Christians celebrate Easter and the Muslims today have Friday prayers during Ramadan. 

Israeli police cordoned off a site where a rocket from Lebanese territory struck on Thursday. Ariel Schalit / AP  

The Israel-Palestine conflict  

After the violent days: Two young Israelis killed in shooting in the West Bank  

Two Israeli women in their 20s have been shot dead near Hamra in the West Bank. Another woman in her 40s is seriously injured, the Israeli army says. Information also indicates that a Palestinian man was injured in the attack, writes Haaretz.  

An Israeli police chief urges people who have licensed weapons to carry them after the shootings, writes the Times of Israel. 

The incident comes after two days of violence in the region following the unrest at al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem on Wednesday, when Israeli police arrested 350 Palestinians. Following the incident, a series of attacks were carried out against Israel from Palestinian and Lebanese territory. Last night, Israel responded with several attacks on Palestine and Lebanon.  

The UN calls on all sides to remain calm.