US calls emergency UN Security Council meeting over strikes on Israel

The U.S. on Tuesday called for an emergency United Nations Security Council meeting to discuss the recent mortar and rocket fire directed at Israel from Gaza.

The meeting is expected to take place on Wednesday afternoon, according to a statement from the U.S. Mission to the U.N.

“The recent attacks out of Gaza are the largest we have seen since 2014,” said U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley. “Mortars fired by Palestinian militants hit civilian infrastructure, including a kindergarten.

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“The Security Council should be outraged and respond to this latest bout of violence directed at innocent Israeli civilians, and the Palestinian leadership needs to be held accountable for what they’re allowing to happen in Gaza,” Haley added.

On Tuesday morning, Hamas and other militants reportedly launched approximately 70 rockets and mortars toward Israeli territory, in what Israel said was the biggest rocket and mortar attack launched from Gaza since 2014.

The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) said at least 25 of the projectiles were intercepted by Israel’s Iron Dome air defense system.

The IDF responded by launching dozens of airstrikes targeting militants in Gaza later in the day.

The attack came a few days after violent confrontation between Palestinian protesters and Israeli forces along the Gaza border, which left dozens of Palestinians dead.

Earlier this month, the U.S. opened its new embassy in Jerusalem, a move that angered Palestinians and drew international outrage.