After tensions grew in Jerusalem throughout Ramadan, the bloodiest violence in years has broken out between Israel and the Gaza Strip.
Sparked by policing during Ramadan and developments in a years-long bid by Jewish settlers to take over Arab homes in occupied East Jerusalem, armed groups in Gaza launched more than 1,000 rockets towards Israel, while more than 150 Israeli air strikes hit the strip.
At least 35 Palestinians have been killed in the unrest, while five people died in Israel.
This is how the tensions escalated into a conflict:
Friday, May 7
Throughout the holy month, police and protesters clashed as authorities tried to block people gathering at Damascus Gate – a popular evening meeting spot during Ramadan.
On April 23, police on horseback fought to keep crowds of young Palestinians and ultranationalist Israelis chanting "death to Arabs" near Damascus Gate.
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Palestinian children remove metallic barriers as protesters gather at the Damascus Gate in Jerusalem's Old City. AFP -
Palestinian protesters remove metallic barriers as demonstrators gather at the Damascus Gate in Jerusalem's Old City. AFP -
Israeli Arab politician Ahmad Tibi speaks to members of the Israeli security forces as Palestinian protesters gather at the Damascus Gate in Jerusalem's Old City. AFP -
Palestinians wave flags and celebrate outside Damascus Gate after barriers that were put up by Israeli police are removed, allowing them to access the main square that has been the focus of a week of clashes around Jerusalem's Old City. Reuters -
Palestinian protesters shout slogans at the Damascus Gate in Jerusalem's Old City. AFP -
Palestinian protesters shout slogans at the Damascus Gate in Jerusalem's Old City. AFP -
Palestinian protesters shout slogans at the Damascus Gate in Jerusalem's Old City. AFP -
Israeli policemen detain a Palestinian protester near the Damascus Gate in Jerusalem's Old City. AFP -
Israeli security forces push out Palestinian protesters outside the Damascus Gate in Jerusalem's Old City. AFP -
A Palestinian youth wearing a mask looks on during clashes with Israeli security forces in the city center of the occupied West Bank town of Hebron, following a protest in support of Palestinian demonstration in Israeli-annexed east Jerusalem. AFP -
Palestinian protesters clash with Israeli troops at in the city center of the West Bank city of Hebron, 25 April 2021. Clashes erupted in Hebron during a demonstration in support of Palestinians in Jerusalem. EPA -
Palestinian protesters clash with Israeli troops at in the city center of the West Bank city of Hebron. Clashes erupted in Hebron during a demonstration in support of Palestinians in Jerusalem after Israeli police restricted access and gathering in areas around Damascus Gate of the Old City of Jerusalem, which led to nightly clashes between Palestinians and Israeli police. EPA
The crisis starts in earnest on May 7, the final Friday of Ramadan, when the rumbling tensions boil over and Israeli riot police clash with crowds of Palestinians at Jerusalem's Al Aqsa Mosque.
Palestinians hurl stones, bottles and fireworks at police who fire rubber bullets and stun grenades.
The site is also sacred to Jews as the location of two biblical-era temples.
More than 220 people, mostly Palestinians, are wounded.
Saturday May 8 to Sunday May 9
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Palestinians run away from Israeli border police during a demonstration in support of Palestinian families that face eviction from their homes at Sheikh Jarrah neighbourhood in the Damascus gate in Jerusalem. EPA -
Israeli police arrest a Palestinian demonstrator during a protest in support of Palestinian families that face eviction from their homes at Sheikh Jarrah neighbourhood, near Damascus gate in Jerusalem. EPA -
Palestinians throw carton box to a burning barricade during clashes with Israeli police in Jerusalem. Tension continues in Jerusalem's Old City after clashes in Al Aqsa Mosque left dozens of Palestinians were seriously injured. Getty Images -
Israeli border police during a demonstration in support of Palestinian families that face eviction from their homes at Sheikh Jarrah neighbourhood, near Damascus Gate in the Old City of Jerusalem. EPA -
Palestinians run for cover as Israeli police officers fire stun grenades during clashes at Damascus Gate outside Jerusalem's Old City. AP Photo -
Israeli police arrest a Palestinian demonstrator during a protest in support of Palestinian families that face eviction from their homes at Sheikh Jarrah neighbourhood, near Damascus Gate in the old city of Jerusalem. EPA -
A car belonging to Israeli settlers goes up in flames during a protest in support of Palestinian families facing eviction in Sheikh Jarrah neighbourhood in East Jerusalem. EPA -
Supporters of Palestinian revolution factions rally in support of the Palestinians in Jerusalem, at Bourj Al Barajneh Palestinian camp in the southern suburb of the Lebanese capital Beirut. EPA -
Palestinians assist a wounded protester run amid clashes with Israeli security forces outside the Damascus Gate in Jerusalem's Old City. EPA -
Israeli police arrest a Palestinian activist during a demonstration in support of Palestinian families that face eviction from their homes at Sheikh Jarrah neighbourhood, near Damascus Gate in the Old City of Jerusalem. EPA -
Palestinians run for cover after Israeli police officers fire stun grenades during clashes at Damascus Gate in Jerusalem's Old City. Getty Images -
A Palestinian man flees as Israeli police officers watch during clashes in Jerusalem's Old City. Getty Images -
Palestinians run for cover during clashes with Israeli police officers in Jerusalem. Getty Images -
Palestinians react as Israeli police fire a stun grenade during clashes at Damascus Gate on Laylat Al Qadr during the month of Ramadan, in Jerusalem's Old City. Reuters -
Supporters of Palestinian factions demonstrate in support of the Palestinians facing eviction in a Jerusalem neighbourhood, at Bourj Al Barajneh Palestinian camp in the southern suburb of Beirut, Lebanon. EPA
On May 8 violence flares elsewhere in East Jerusalem.
At least 121 Palestinians are wounded overnight, the Palestinian Red Crescent says, while 17 Israeli police officers are hurt.
The Middle East Quartet – the US, Russia, EU and the UN – express "deep concern" over the violence.
As well as the Ramadan tensions, much of the recent unrest stems from the long-running legal effort by Jewish settler groups to evict several Palestinian families from their homes in the East Jerusalem district of Sheikh Jarrah.
A lower-court ruling earlier this year backing the settlers' decades-old claim infuriated Palestinians who saw it as a further annexation of their land.
But a Supreme Court hearing on a Palestinian appeal is postponed at the weekend by the Justice Ministry in light of "the circumstances".
Pope Francis joins calls for an end to the violence as Palestinians face off with Israeli police again overnight Saturday and on Sunday evening in East Jerusalem.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu defends Israel's response to the protests as countries across the region and internationally condemn heavy-handed tactics.
Monday, May 10
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A Palestinian man is detained by undercover and uniformed Israeli security force members as Israelis mark 'Jerusalem Day', near Damascus Gate, just outside Jerusalem's Old City. Reuters -
Israelis gather at the Western Wall as a blaze is seen in the background at the Al Aqsa Mosque compound in Jerusalem's Old City. Reuters -
A Palestinian man, left, argues with Israeli Knesset member and head of the far-right Otzma Yehudit party Itamar Ben-Gvir, in the Sheikh Jarrah neighbourhood of East Jerusalem. AFP -
Israeli security forces in the Al Aqsa Mosque compound, in Jerusalem's Old City. A planned march by Israelis marking 'Jerusalem Day' has increased tensions with Palestinians. AFP -
Palestinians evacuate a wounded man during clashes with Israeli security forces at the Al Aqsa Mosque compound. Palestinian medics said at least 180 Palestinians have been were hurt in violence there, including 80 who were hospitalised. AP Photo -
A man waves an Israeli flag during a parade marking 'Jerusalem Day', amid high Israeli-Palestinian tension, in Jerusalem. Reuters -
A Palestinian woman runs close to Israeli security force members during violence at the Damascus Gate, just outside Jerusalem's Old City. Reuters -
Israelis run to shelters as air raid sirens go off during a 'Jerusalem Day' march, in Jerusalem. Explosions were heard in Jerusalem after air raid sirens sounded. AP Photo
Early on Monday morning, Israeli police storm Al Aqsa compound saying they are responding to rock-throwing protesters ahead of Jerusalem Day marches by ultranationalist Israeli Jews.
Jerusalem Day celebrates the Jewish state's 1967 capture of the Old City.
Visits by Israelis to Al Aqsa are cancelled, even as some settler groups try to break into the compound. The controversial march through the Old City is rerouted.
By the end of Monday, over 700 Palestinians have been wounded and more than 500 are treated in hospital after police clear Al Aqsa and the streets of the old city with batons, stun grenades and tear gas.
Hamas issues an ultimatum for Israel to pull security forces from Al Aqsa and Sheikh Jarrah by 6pm Monday night.
Militants in Gaza then fire more than 200 rockets towards Israel.
Israel responds with 130 strikes by fighter jets and attack helicopters on "military targets" in the Hamas-run enclave.
At least 28 Palestinians – including 10 children – are killed in the exchange of fire.
Islamic Jihad says two of its commanders were among those killed.
Tuesday, May 11
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Rockets are fired from Gaza City, which is controlled by the Palestinian Hamas movement, towards Israel, on Tuesday. AFP -
Israel's Iron Dome air defence system intercepts a rocket launched from the Gaza Strip. AFP -
Israeli security forces take cover as rockets are launched from the Gaza Strip. AFP -
A member of Israeli security forces investigates the scene where a rocket fired from the Gaza Strip hit a house in the city of Ashdod. EPA -
Bystanders take cover as Israel's Iron Dome air defence system intercepts a rocket launched from the Gaza Strip. AFP -
Vehicles are set ablaze after a rocket launched from the Gaza Strip lands in Israeli city Ashdod. AFP -
Smoke billows from a building targeted by an Israeli bombardment in Gaza City, on Tuesday. AFP -
A man carries a child as Palestinians evacuate a building targeted by an Israeli bombardment in Gaza City. AFP -
Palestinians flee from a building targeted by an Israeli bombardment in Gaza City. AFP -
Palestinians remove a body from a building targeted by an Israeli bombardment in Gaza City. AFP -
Palestinians seek shelter following an Israeli air strike, amid a flare-up of Israeli-Palestinian violence, in Gaza City. Reuters -
A woman cradles a child as Palestinians evacuate a building targeted by an Israeli bombardment in Gaza City. AFP -
A Palestinian woman is comforted after fleeing a building targeted by an Israeli bombardment in Gaza City. AFP -
Palestinians evacuate following an Israeli air strike on a building, amid a flare-up of Israeli-Palestinian violence, in Gaza City. Reuters -
Dust and smoke rise following an Israeli air strike, amid a flare-up of Israeli-Palestinian violence, in Gaza City. Reuters
Israel says two people were killed on Tuesday in an intense rocket bombardment of the coastal town of Ashkelon to the north of Gaza.
Mr Netanyahu vows to intensify attacks in reply.
North of the occupied West Bank, a Palestinian is killed and another wounded by Israeli army gunfire.
Rocket fire and air strikes continue through the day.
In the evening, a 12-storey building in Gaza where several top Hamas commanders have offices is completely destroyed in an Israeli air strike.
In retaliation, Hamas says it has launched 130 rockets towards Tel Aviv, where air raid sirens ring out.
Ben Gurion airport near Tel Aviv halts flights.
Wednesday, May 12
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Firefighters and security forces inspect damage at a house in Yehud, near Tel Aviv, after rockets were launched towards Israel from the Gaza Strip. Hamas said on May 12, 2021, it had fired more than 200 rockets into Israel in retaliation for strikes on a tower block in Gaza. AFP -
Rescuers move Israelis from their homes in Yehud, near Tel Aviv, after rockets were launched towards Israel from the Gaza Strip. AFP -
Sirens blared across Israeli coastal cities and people were moved as a barrage of rockets was launched from Gaza. AFP -
An Israeli security officer inspects damage at a house in Yehud. AFP -
A member of the Israeli security forces stationed in Lod, near Tel Aviv. AFP -
Israeli security forces stationed on a street in Lod. AFP -
Rockets are launched from Gaza city towards Tel Aviv. AFP -
Smoke rises from a burning building, after it was destroyed by Israeli air strikes on Gaza. Reuters -
Smoke billows from buildings hit during the Israeli air strikes on Gaza. AFP -
Fire engulfs a building hit during an Israeli air strike in Gaza on May 11, 2021. AFP -
Smoke rises from buildings hit during an Israeli air strike in Gaza city. AFP -
A crowd gathers at the site of a collapsed building in the aftermath of Israeli air strikes on Gaza on May 11, 2021. AFP -
A burnt car and trees in Holon, near Tel Aviv. AFP -
The debris of a house in Ashkelon, Israel, following a rocket strike that killed a 29-year-old Indian caregiver. Rosie Scammell / The National -
Two people were reported killed in rocket strikes on Ashkelon. Rosie Scammell / The National -
An Israeli police officer holds his weapon as he stands in front of an injured driver moments after witnesses said his car crashed into a Palestinian on a pavement during clashes near Lion's Gate, outside Jerusalem's Old City. Reuters -
Palestinians gather behind a barricade amid clashes with Israeli security forces at Jerusalem's Al Aqsa Mosque compound. AFP -
Palestinians clash with Israeli security forces at the Al Aqsa Mosque compound in Jerusalem's Old City. AP Photo -
Palestinians clash with Israeli security forces at the Al Aqsa Mosque compound in Jerusalem's Old City. AP Photo -
A camera operator falls as an Israeli police officer runs after him during clashes with Palestinians at the compound that houses Al Aqsa Mosque. Reuters -
Palestinian medics carry a wounded protester amid clashes with Israeli security forces at Jerusalem's Al Aqsa Mosque compound. AFP -
A Palestinian man helps a wounded protester amid clashes with Israeli security forces at Jerusalem's Al Aqsa Mosque compound on May 10, 2021. AFP -
Palestinians run for cover during clashes with Israeli police at the compound that houses Al Aqsa Mosque. Reuters -
Israeli security forces detain a Palestinian protester near the Damascus Gate in Jerusalem's Old City on May 10, 2021. AFP -
Israeli police take position during clashes with Palestinians at the compound that houses Al Aqsa Mosque. Reuters -
Israeli security forces storm Jerusalem's Al Aqsa Mosque compound on May 10, 2021. AFP -
Palestinians carry a wounded protester at the Lions' Gate in Jerusalem's Old City, on Monday, May 10, 2021. AP -
Israeli police stand in front of the Dome of the Rock during clashes with Palestinians at the compound that houses Al Aqsa Mosque. Reuters -
Palestinian medics carry a wounded protester at the Damascus Gate in Jerusalem's Old City on May 10, 2021. AFP -
Palestinians rescue a wounded protester at the Damascus Gate in Jerusalem's Old City on May 10, 2021. AFP -
Palestinian protesters flee attack by Israeli security forces in Jerusalem's Old City on May 10, 2021. AFP -
Israeli security forces detain a Palestinian protester amid clashes in Jerusalem's Old City on May 10, 2021. AFP -
Israeli security forces storm Jerusalem's Al Aqsa Mosque compound on May 10, 2021. AFP -
A Palestinian protester stands atop Al Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem on May 10, 2021. AFP -
A wounded Palestinian is carried during clashes with Israeli police at the compound that houses Al Aqsa Mosque. Reuters -
A Palestinian gestures as he confronts Israeli police during clashes at the compound that houses Al Aqsa Mosque on May 10. Reuters
At least 35 Palestinians and five Israelis have now been killed since Monday.
Israel says on Wednesday that it has been the target of some 1,050 rocket attacks over the last 60 hours.
It said 850 have either landed in Israel or been intercepted by its Iron Dome air defence system, while 200 fell short and came down in Gaza.
More than 150 air strikes have been carried out by Israel with Gaza residents reporting some of the most intense bombardments they have ever experienced – eclipsing the 2014 Gaza war.
Thursday, May 13
Fighting between Israel and Palestinians overnight and into the day on Thursday took the death toll in Gaza to 83 people, including 17 children, after days of near-relentless Israeli air strikes hit a number of residential buildings in the Gaza strip.
Almost 500 people have been injured.
Israel’s military said 1,600 rockets were launched from Gaza over the last few days that killed seven people, including a six-year-old child.
The civilian neighbourhood of Petah Tikva was also hit by rockets from Gaza resulting in a number of injuries and a fire.
Both sides have thus far vowed to continue fighting with Israeli Defence Minister Benny Gantz ordering, "massive reinforcements" of security forces.
Israel said it had hit nearly 1,000 targets in Gaza.
Overnight, inter-communal clashes broke out into violent confrontations.
Israeli television broadcast footage of a far-right mob beating a man they believed to be Arab until he lay unconscious on his back in a street of Bat Yam, near Tel Aviv.
The attack was described by medics as an attempted lynching and it drew condemnation from Israeli politicians and religious leaders.
After two days of violence largely unchecked by police, Mr Netanyahu on said “nothing justifies” Jews attacking Arabs or Arabs attacking Jews. He pledged to restore order.
“It doesn’t matter to me that your blood is boiling," Mr Netanyahu said. "You can’t take the law in your hands.”
