Tensions rise in Israel. Clashes between Palestinians and Israeli police took place this morning on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem. According to the news reported by the Times of Israel there are “hundreds” of injured. The Palestinian Red Crescent speaks of 305, of which at least seven are in serious condition. Israeli law enforcement agencies say nine Israeli policemen were injured. The authorities, it says, have meanwhile decided to ban Jews from accessing the site on the day when Israel celebrates the reunification of Jerusalem. And a police decision is awaited, which is not yet clear whether it will authorize a celebratory march of nationalists. Meanwhile, the Erez crossing between Israel and the Gaza Strip has been closed. The Israeli authorities, reports the news portal Ynet, have announced the immediate closure, with the exception of humanitarian cases, after the launch in the last hours of rockets and incendiary balloons from the Palestinian enclave in the direction of Israel. This morning, Israeli forces (IDF) announced that they had hit “Hamas terrorist targets in Gaza” with their tanks in response to the attacks. “This is a battle between tolerance and intolerance, between order and illegitimate violence. “said Benjamin Netenyahu. “Periodically elements who want to confiscate our rights force us to show ourselves strong, as the Israeli policemen are doing – added according to the Times of Israel – I support the agents in this just fight”. “Only Israeli sovereignty – he claimed – allows freedom of worship for all”. In the past few hours there had been a telephone conversation between US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan and Israeli colleague Meir Ben-Shabbat, during which the United States had expressed “serious concern about the situation in Jerusalem”. Sullivan had urged the Israeli government on “appropriate measures to ensure calm” today, reaffirming “the Administration’s commitment to the security of Israel” and in support of “peace and stability” in the Middle East, with the guarantee that the United States “will remain fully committed in the days to come to promote calm in Jerusalem”. The clashes between Palestinians and Israeli police are “a real massacre and a war crime” according to Sami Abu Zuhri, a spokesman for Hamas. “We appeal to our entire nation to take to the streets and face the occupation – he said, according to the Times of Israel – Israel will pay a heavy price for its taking of Al-Aqsa by force.” Brutal raid by the Israeli occupation forces on the site of the Al-Aqsa mosque and the assault on the faithful constitute a new challenge for the international community “, said Nabil Abu Rudeineh, spokesman for Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas, who – quoted by Wafa agency – referred in particular to the “efforts made by the American administration”. According to the spokesman for the Palestinian presidency, the Israeli government “has ignored all international efforts and interventions”, but – added Abu Rudeineh – “the Palestinian leaders and the Palestinian people will not allow these Israeli plans to take place”. the Al-Aqsa mosque is a crime committed by the occupation, “Hussein Al Sheikh, described by the Times of Israel as a senior Palestinian Authority official, one of the closest advisors to Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas, wrote on Twitter. Palestinian leadership – he added – is evaluating all options to respond to this brutal aggression against sacred places and citizens “.