Armenia deeply concerned about ongoing clashes in Jerusalem – Foreign Ministry
Armenia is deeply concerned about the ongoing clashes in Jerusalem, the Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Tuesday.
“We are deeply concerned about the ongoing clashes in Jerusalem. We call on all parties involved to exercise restraint in order to reduce tensions and prevent further civilian casualties,” the ministry said.
Violent clashes over Jerusalem escalated dramatically on Monday with Gaza health officials saying at least 20 people, including nine children, were killed by Israeli air strikes launched after Palestinian militant groups fired rockets close to Jerusalem, Reuters reported.
Israel’s military said it carried out strikes against armed groups, rocket launchers and military posts in Gaza after militants there crossed what Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called a “red line” by firing on the Jerusalem area for the first time since a 2014 war.
This round of violence, like previous ones, was fueled by conflicting claims over Jerusalem, home to major holy sites of Islam, Judaism and Christianity. The rival national and religious narratives of Israelis and Palestinians are rooted in the city, making it the emotional core of their long conflict, according to AP.