ATHENS: Palestinian, Muslim youth burn Israeli flag and brandish knives in historic centre

Palestinian

In Syntagma Square, just metres from parliament and some of the most luxurious hotels in Athens, Palestinian, Egyptian and other Muslim youth burned and trampled on the Israeli flag and then attacked people.

They were then photographed brandishing knives at the entrance of Monastiraki metro, the historic heart of Athens - about a 10-minute walk from Syntagma.

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This latest incident comes only days after Palestinian and other Muslim illegal immigrants chanted "Allahu Akbar" in the refugee centres on the islands of Samos and Kos following Hamas' attack on Israel on Saturday.

Meanwhile, Israel has declared war on Hamas after the group launched a devastating surprise attack from Gaza.

At least 900 people have died in Israel and more than 680 Palestinians have been killed since the conflict erupted on Saturday when Hamas launched a devastating surprise attack on Israel.

On Tuesday, the Hamas-controlled Government Media Office added that two local journalists were killed and another injured in an Israeli airstrike on a residential building in western Gaza.

The IDF strikes are even more complicated given that a number of hostages are being held by Hamas.

Israeli authorities believe women and children are among up to 150 hostages in Gaza, the country's UN ambassador said. Hamas has claimed it is holding more than 100 captives, including Israeli army officers.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke with Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen on Monday to discuss support for Israel as it “defends itself against Hamas’ terrorist attack,” according to a readout of the call.

Blinken extended condolences to the foreign minister and reaffirmed US efforts to secure the release of hostages captured by Hamas militants.

The hostages include Israelis and foreign citizens including Brazilian and Mexicans. On Monday, President Joe Biden said in a statement it was "likely” that American citizens may be among those being held captive.

Blinken also spoke to French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna, according to a separate readout, and welcomed French and European efforts "toward our shared goal of ending Hamas’ violence.”

Killing hostages "will not make things better," an Israel Defense Forces (IDF) spokesperson said Tuesday, a day after Hamas militants threatened to execute civilian captives if Israel targets Gaza without warning.

Israeli authorities believe women and children are among up to 150 hostages being held by Islamist militants in Gaza, according to the country's UN ambassador. Hamas has claimed it is holding more than 100 captives, including high-ranking Israeli army officers.

"If they harm one of these grandmothers or one of these babies or one of these children, it will not make things better and they know it," IDF spokesperson Lt. Col. Richard Hecht said.
Dozens of Israeli fighter jets struck more than 200 targets in Gaza overnight, the IDF said in a statement Tuesday.

The bombings have killed at least 687 people, including dozens of children and women, and left thousands injured, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry.

More than 137,000 people are taking cover from Israeli strikes at UN emergency shelters in Gaza. The shelters are at 90% capacity, the UN relief agency said.

Hecht said Tuesday that the IDF was sending some warnings before bombing targets, including via social media and warning shots.

"We will be notifying the best way we can... people will have to move," he said.
Asked if the IDF was distinguishing between civilian, governmental and military targets, Hecht said the distinction was not so simple.

"In buildings where people are living there could be a weapons store... there could be a Hamas kingpin living there," he said.

READ MORE: War in Israel: "It's the worst attack I've experienced in 22 years," says Greek living in Tel Aviv.

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