Gaza sealed as Israel responds to rocket fire

JERUSALEM • Israel sealed the entrances and exits to Gaza Thursday after a week of rocket fire from Palestinian militants in the wake of U.S. President Donald Trump’s announcement on recognizing Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.

The attacks prompted Israeli forces to use the Iron Dome missile defence system and carry out air strikes in retaliation. Two Palestinian fighters were killed and there are fears that the two sides may stumble into a full-blown conflict.

Israel’s closure of the Erez and Kerem Shalom border crossings on Thursday leaves the two million people of Gaza completely cut off and will halt deliveries of food and fuel. The crossings may open on Friday but may stay closed until at least Sunday.

Israel believes the rockets are being fired by Islamic Jihad, a smaller faction, with the tacit permission of Hamas, which controls Gaza.

In spite of the closures, thousands of people gathered in central Gaza to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Hamas’ founding.

Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh said in a combative speech that the U.S. and Israel have found themselves isolated following Trump’s recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital. Hamas has called for a new Palestinian uprising against Israel in response to that recognition.

“We salute the beginning of rage, intifada and revolution,” Haniyeh told the large crowd that filled the sprawling al-Katiba Square.

Trump’s decision last week has triggered Palestinian protests in the West Bank and Gaza, but it remains unclear whether widespread Palestinian anger at the U.S. will lead to a full-fledged uprising.

Hamas’ rival, the Fatah movement of West Bankbased Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, seeks to establish a Palestinian state in lands Israel captured in 1967, with east Jerusalem as a capital. Hamas wants to set up an Islamic state between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean, which includes Israel.

Israel claims all of Jerusalem as its capital, including the Israeli-annexed east, which is home to key Muslim, Jewish and Christian shrines.

Thursday’s rally drew tens of thousands of Hamas supporters. Masked Hamas militants marched behind the group’s political officials on stage. A giant poster showing Jerusalem’s Dome of the Rock mosque and a militant with a Palestinian flag and a rifle formed the backdrop. “Jerusalem is the capital of Palestine” read the caption.

While leaders of Islamic countries have put out strongly-worded statements on Trump’s decision to recognize Jerusalem, they have taken little action and protests around the Middle East have been muted.

The Palestinians have said they will no longer accept any U.S. role in the peace process but Egypt and Saudi Arabia remain supportive of Trump’s efforts.