Jerusalem Day March Canceled as Hamas Fires Rockets at Capital

Hamas fired multiple rockets toward Jerusalem this evening after Israeli forces raided the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, injuring over 300 Palestinian worshippers, in a dramatic escalation that forced the cancellation of Israel’s controversial Jerusalem Day march.

Al-Aqsa Raid

Morning Violence:

Israeli forces stormed mosque at dawn prayers
Stun grenades fired inside prayer hall
Rubber bullets shot at worshippers
305 Palestinians injured
228 hospitalized
Medics attacked, ambulances blocked

Scenes of Chaos:

Mosque carpets burning from grenades
Blood on prayer hall floors
Women and elderly beaten
International media documenting
Videos going viral globally

Hamas Ultimatum

At 4 PM, Hamas military spokesman issued warning: “Israel has until 6 PM to withdraw forces from Al-Aqsa Mosque and Sheikh Jarrah, or bear the consequences.”

The Response:

6:02 PM: First rockets fired
7 rockets toward Jerusalem
Air raid sirens in capital
Knesset evacuation
Jerusalem Day march canceled
Iron Dome interceptions

Immediate Escalation

Gaza Barrage:

150+ rockets fired by midnight
Tel Aviv targeted
Ashkelon under heavy fire
Multiple Israeli communities hit
2 Israelis killed in Ashkelon

Israeli Retaliation:

Airstrikes on Gaza beginning
Hamas targets hit
High-rises struck
“Guardian of the Walls” operation launched
Reservists called up

Jerusalem in Flames

Mixed Cities Exploding:

Lod: Synagogues attacked, curfew declared
Acre: Jewish-Arab clashes
Jaffa: Riots spreading
Haifa: Tensions rising
Police losing control

Sheikh Jarrah:

Solidarity protests continue
Police violence ongoing
International media present
Eviction hearing postponed
Neighborhood under siege

Political Dynamics

Hamas Calculation:

Defending Jerusalem resonates
PA weakness exposed
Regional leadership claimed
Elections canceled leverage
Popular support surging

Israeli Response:

Netanyahu: “Hamas has crossed a red line. It will pay a heavy price.”

Defense Minister Gantz approved extensive target bank.

International Alarm

UN Security Council:

Emergency meeting called
US blocking statement
Calls for de-escalation
Grave concern expressed

Regional Reactions:

Turkey: “Israel terror state”
Egypt: Urgent mediation efforts
Jordan: “Dangerous escalation”
Saudi: Muted response

The Trigger Points

Convergence of Crises:

Sheikh Jarrah evictions
Ramadan restrictions
Jerusalem Day provocation
Al-Aqsa violations
Palestinian elections canceled
Youth anger boiling

Civilian Impact

In Gaza:

Families fleeing border areas
Power cuts beginning
Hospitals preparing
Schools closing
Trauma resurfaces

In Israel:

Million+ in shelters
Ben Gurion flights diverted
Economic activity halted
Reserve mobilization
Society polarizing

Historical Parallel

Like 2014:

Jerusalem tensions trigger
Hamas enters conflict
Rapid escalation
But different dynamics
Social media age

Media War

Palestinian Narrative:

Defending Al-Aqsa
Resisting ethnic cleansing
Jerusalem under attack
David vs. Goliath

Israeli Narrative:

Hamas aggression
Terrorism against civilians
Defending sovereignty
Restoring deterrence

Warning Signs Ignored

Week of Sheikh Jarrah protests
Al-Aqsa tensions building
Hamas threats dismissed
Youth uprising signs
International warnings unheeded

Analysis: New War Begins

Today marks:

Paradigm Shift:

Jerusalem as trigger (not Gaza)
Hamas as Jerusalem defender
PA further marginalized
Religious war framing
Regional dynamics different

Escalation Dynamics:

Neither side can back down
Jerusalem symbolism powerful
Internal politics driving
Exit strategy unclear
Major conflict likely

Key Questions:

Will Israel launch ground operation?
Can Egypt mediate quickly?
Will West Bank explode?
How will Biden respond?
Is this the next intifada?

The convergence of Jerusalem, Al-Aqsa, and Sheikh Jarrah created a perfect storm. With Hamas rockets reaching Jerusalem for the first time since 2014 and Israeli airstrikes pounding Gaza, the fourth Gaza war in 15 years appears to have begun, with Jerusalem—not Gaza—as its cause.