Two fireworks were thrown into a crowd of protesters near Times Square leaving a 55-year-old woman injured as pro-Israel and pro-Palestine...
Two fireworks were thrown into a crowd of protesters near Times Square leaving a 55-year-old woman injured as pro-Israel and pro-Palestine demonstrations descended into violence just hours after a cease-fire was declared in the Israel-Hamas conflict.
At least 20 people have been arrested, it was reported, amid skirmishes between the two sides.
The devices were thrown on Thursday evening and the blast was so loud it was initially thought to be a smoke bomb, a NYPD spokesman told DailyMail.com.
The NYPD later clarified that the devices were commercially-bought fireworks, thrown from a car.
The 55-year-old woman sustained a minor burn from the fireworks and the Arson Investigation Squad and the Midtown North Detective Squad are investigating.
Footage on social media showed agitators from both sides attempting to snatch the other's flag. The unrest appears to have been started by children who, egged on by their parents, grabbed rival groups' flags.
One pro-Israel protester was punched in the stomach when he fought to retrieve his flag; a pro-Palestine protester has seen in handcuffs after he tried to get his own flag back.
A number of vehicles carrying people waving Palestinian flags and shouting racial slurs were shown in videos driving through Manhattan's diamond district, home to many Jewish-owned businesses.
People are seen running for cover on Thursday evening as fireworks were thrown and began smoking. Smoke can be seen in the area as the fireworks were hurled towards the crowd in Manhattan. Footage on social media did not immediately identify who threw the fireworks: NYPD are investigating
Pro Palestinian protesters burn the Israeli flag as they face off with a group of Israel supporters and police in a violent clash in Times Square on May 20, 2021. A number of vehicles carrying people waving Palestinian flags and shouting racial slurs were shown in videos driving through Manhattan's diamond district, home to many Jewish-owned businesses
One man fell to the floor and was kicked while on the ground, as another man, in a red sweatshirt, tried to stop the violence
Pro Palestinian protesters face off with a group of Israel supporters and police in a violent clash in Times Square on May 20, 2021 in New York City. Despite an announcement of a cease fire between Israel and Gaza militants, dozens of supporters of both sides of the conflict fought in the streets on Thursday night in NYC
Supporters of Israel face off with pro Palestinian protesters and police in a violent clash in Times Square on May 20, 2021 in New York City
Palestinian protesters face off with a group of Israel supporters and police in a violent clash in Times Square on May 20, 2021 in New York City. More than 20 people were arrested, ABC7NY reported, amid skirmishes between the two sides
New York police said it was too early to tell who had thrown the fireworks.
However, on social media some claimed that it was hurled by pro-Palestine activists towards a group of pro-Israeli demonstrators.
'A group of Palestines came and threw explosives at the Jews. Lord have mercy,' said one witness.
Earlier, violent clashes had erupted in Times Square between both sides, with pictures and videos showing punches being thrown as people
Pro-Palestinian agitators set an Israeli flag on fire, taunting their rivals, with some throwing water bottles and other projectiles at each other.
Green red smoke, in the color of the Palestinian flag, was let off, and the air was thick with acrid chemicals.
The NYPD brought in barricades to try and separate the two sides, with some protesters pushing over planters and barriers attempting to block traffic driving through the square.
Neither seemed to be willing to back down, however, and several people were seen in handcuffs and being led away by police officers.
Another video, taken from a security camera mounted on a building in Times Square, showed the scene from above. The two sides can be seen facing off with each-other as police push the pro-Palestinian protesters back.
Pictured: A still grab from a video taken by a camera in Times Square showing pro-Palestinian and pro-Israel protesters facing off in New York City
Pro-Palestine activists cheer as a man punches another man in the side of the head in Times Square
A Pro Palestinian protester is arrested as they face off with a group of Israel supporters and police in a violent clash in Times Square on May 20, 2021 in New York City
NYPD are seen arresting a man in a pro-Palestine t-shirt on Thursday evening in Times Square
Green smoke was let off by protesters as fist fights broke out between pro-Palestine and pro-Israel agitators
An Israeli flag was set on fire by the pro-Palestinian crowd
Pro Palestinian protesters face off with a group of Israel supporters and police in a violent clash in Times Square on May 20, 2021 in New York City
NYPD brought in barricades to try and separate the two warring factions in Times Square in New York City, May 20
Pro Palestinian protesters face off with a group of Israel supporters and police in a violent clash in Times Square on May 20, 2021 in New York City. Two men are shown fighting in the middle of the street
Pro Palestinian protesters face off with a group of Israel supporters and police in a violent clash in Times Square on May 20, 2021 in New York City
A masked man waves a Palestinian flag in Times Square, amid smoke and brawls
Pro Palestinian protesters face off with a group of Israel supporters and police in a violent clash in Times Square on May 20, 2021 in New York City
NYPD swarmed the area, and the rallies were dispersed by 7:30pm.
The unrest came shortly after Joe Biden told the nation that a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas - the Palestinian group which controls Gaza - had been agreed.
'These hostilities have resulted in the tragic deaths of so many civilians, including children. I send my sincere condolences to all the families, Israeli and Palestinian, who have lost loved ones,' Biden said.
'My hope for a full recovery for the wounded.'
Earlier, a statement from the office of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said his Security Cabinet unilaterally approved the Egyptian-mediated proposal.
Biden said the Egyptians played a 'critical role' in the ceasefire.
President Joe Biden spoke briefly from the Cross Hall about the ceasefire set to begin between Israel and Hamas
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Security Cabinet approved a unilateral ceasefire to halt an 11-day Israeli military operation in the Gaza Strip
Smoke rises after an Israeli airstrike in eastern Gaza on Thursday before a ceasefire started in the early hours of Friday
Wild celebrations broke out on the streets of Gaza overnight after Israel and Hamas declared a ceasefire - bringing to an end 11 days of fighting that left 244 people dead.
The ceasefire came into effect at 2am with both sides claiming victory. Benjamin Netanyahu boasted of 'significant achievements' in destroying Hamas tunnels and rocket batteries, while mosque loudspeakers in Gaza hailed 'the victory of the resistance achieved over the occupation [Israel] during the battle of the Sword of Jerusalem'.
Both sides issued threats to resume hostilities if the situation changes - with Hamas saying 'our finger is on the trigger' and Israel warning 'the reality on the ground will determine the future of the campaign'. But as dawn broke on Friday the truce held, with no rocket fire or airstrikes reported in the early hours.
World leaders - who have been pushing for days for an end to the fighting - were quick to hail the Egyptian-brokered ceasefire, with US President Joe Biden speaking of a 'genuine opportunity to make progress' and UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson urging leaders to 'work to find a durable solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.'
But in Israel, Netanyahu face angry accusations from his own supporters that the operation had stopped too soon, with the IDF failing to take out any of Hamas's top leaders. The military did manage to kill Hussam Abu Harbid - one of the leaders of Palestinian Islamic Jihad, a terror group which operates in Gaza.
Fighting - the fiercest between the two sides since the 2014 war - broke out on May 10 after days of skirmishes between Palestinians and Israeli security forces in Jerusalem, centered around the Al-Aqsa mosque.
After a day of particularly fierce clashes Hamas had ordered Israeli police to move away from the mosque, then opened fire with rockets. Israel responded with artillery fire and airstrikes, with the two sides exchanging fire around the clock for almost two weeks.
As the dust settles both sides will now count the cost. In total, 232 Palestinians were killed including 65 children and 35 women, while 12 people including two children died in Israel.
Israel said its airstrikes destroyed more than 60 miles of Hamas tunnels, along with rocket batteries and a 'suicide submarine'. It also shot down drones and its Iron Dome defences destroyed thousands of Hamas missiles.
Hamas attacks largely destroyed civilian targets, including homes and a factory.
Palestinians celebrated on the streets of Gaza overnight after Hamas and Israel declared a ceasefire starting from 2am, bringing to an end 11 days of fighting that killed 244 people
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