Story by ZBC News Reporter

Israel launched air strikes before dawn on Friday in the Gaza Strip and Lebanon, saying it was targeting Palestinian militant group Hamas in retaliation for several dozen rockets fired at Israel from both territories.

Tensions have soared between Israel and Palestine during what is both the Jewish Passover and the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, prompting international calls for restraint.

The latest flare-up of violence comes after Israeli police clashed Wednesday with Palestinians inside Jerusalem’s Al-Aqsa mosque Islam’s third-holiest site.

The attack was strongly condemned by world leaders, who said actions risked exacerbating tension and instability in the region.

United Nations chief, Antonio Guterres called on all actors to exercise maximum restraint, while Lebanese militant group Hezbollah had warned it would support all measures that Palestinian groups may take against Israel after the clashes.