20 Palestinians including 9 children killed as Israel strikes Gaza amid days of spiralling violence

At least 20 people, including nine children, were killed by Israeli airstrikes launched after Palestinian militant groups fired rockets close to Jerusalem. The rocket fire and Israeli airstrikes continued late into the night, with Palestinians reporting loud explosions close to Gaza City and across the coastal strip.

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. 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.