Israel-Palestine: Thousands of rockets fired, hundreds of lives destroyed, shocking images of age-old conflict surface

Israel has massed troops along the border and called up 9,000 reservists following days of fighting with the Islamic militant group Hamas, which controls Gaza. Palestinians militants have fired some 1,800 rockets and the military has launched more than 600 airstrikes, toppling at least three apartment blocks.

(Photo credits: Reuters)

The stepped-up fighting came as communal violence in Israel erupted for a fourth night, with Jewish and Arab mobs clashing in the flashpoint town of Lod. The fighting took place despite a bolstered police presence ordered by the nation's leaders.

(Photo credits: Reuters)

Masses of red flames illuminated the skies as the deafening blasts from the outskirts of Gaza City jolted people awake.

(Photo credits: Reuters)

A heavy barrage of numerous rockets were targeted towards Israel and the investigation into the source continues. Additionally many rockets were fired towards the cities of Ashdod and Ashkelon which were intercepted by the Iron Dome air-defense system. Gaza militants have fired 1,800 rockets into Israel, including more than 400 that fell short or misfired, according to the Israeli Defence Force (IDF).

(Photo credits: Reuters)

A man inspects the damaged wall of a residential building after being hit by a rocket fired from the Gaza Strip in Ashkelon, Israel on Friday (May 14, 2021). Israeli artillery pounded northern Gaza early Friday in an attempt to destroy a vast network of militant tunnels inside the territory.

People who fail to make it to shelters in time try to take cover as best they can, like these people in Ashkelon, about 10 kilometers (6 miles) north of the Gaza Strip. At least 103 people have been killed in Israeli airstrikes on the Gaza Strip, including children. Hamas militants have also fired rockets into Israel, killing at least seven people.

(Photo credits: BBC)

The fighting deepened a political crisis that has sent Israel careening through four inconclusive elections in just two years. After the March elections, Netanyahu failed to form a government coalition. Now his political rivals have three weeks to try to do so. Those efforts have been greatly complicated by the fighting. His opponents include a broad range of parties that have little in common. They would need the support of an Arab party, whose leader has said he cannot negotiate while Israel is fighting in Gaza.

(Photo credits: AFP)