Who is violating ceasefire? Hamas or Israel

Holding of ‘Flag March’ was the culmination of the statement reiterating the 'Greater Jerusalem' project, saying "Jerusalem must grow, become stronger and become a metropolis with satellite cities in order for its national and international status to be strengthened, so that its demographics change with an absolute Jewish majority."

Foreign Minister Yair Lapid, who had supported the Flag March, at the end, emerged critical of the participants who sang racist, violent songs. Lapid said, "It is incomprehensible how one can hold an Israeli flag in one's hand and shout 'death to Arabs' at the same time." He added, "This is not Judaism and not Israeli and it certainly is not what our flag symbolizes”.

Meretz MK Yair Golan, whose party is also a coalition partner, called outright for the march to be canceled.  “It’s not just the Flag March, there will be more nationalistic initiatives whose only goal is to create a war of Gog and Magog,” tweeted Golan. 

In the aftermath, Israel has launched an air strike against Gaza in a renewed clash sparked by the incendiary balloons that caused fires in South Israel. The Israeli army said on Wednesday local time that it attacked compounds belonging to the militant group Hamas. It added that it was “ready for all scenarios, including renewed fighting in the face of continued terrorist acts emanating from Gaza.

According to Reuters, the strikes came after the balloons were launched from Gaza, which reportedly caused 20 blazes in open fields in communities near the border. Prior to the balloons, thousands of Israelis had congregated around the Damascus Gate before heading to the Western Wall, angering Palestinians. The celebration was in honor of Israel’s capture of Jerusalem.

In response to the attacks, a spokesperson for Hamas told Reuters that Palestinians would continue to pursue “brave resistance and defend their rights and sacred sites” in Jerusalem.

One may recall the Flag March through the Old City of Jerusalem was called off earlier after Israel Police rejected the organizers' request that participants be allowed to march through the Old City's Damascus Gate. The march was viewed as a possible way to set off violence on the eve of the swearing in of a new government in the Knesset.

Religious Zionist MK Bezalel Smotrich called the decision a shameful surrender to terrorism and Hamas threats. His fellow party member, Itamar Ben-Gvir, said that he would still march the planned route. "I do not plan to give up," Ben-Gvir said.

Likud MK May Golan, who was heavily criticized for referring to Yamina and New Hope Party leaders Naftali Bennett and Gideon Sa'ar as suicide bombers due to their decision to form a government without Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, said she would join Ben-Gvir in marching anyway.

The Sovereignty Movement released another statement after police announced the cancellation, saying "It is very unfortunate that we are folding under Hamas threats. The sovereignty of Jerusalem is violated and our dignity as a free people in our country and our capital is trampled."