Why Middle East tensions are soaring yet again

An explosion is caused by Israeli airstrikes on a Hamas military base in town of Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip (Yousef Masoud/AP)

In the weeks before a rare confluence of major Jewish, Christian and Muslim holidays, with tens of thousands of visitors expected in Jerusalem for the first time since the pandemic, Israeli, Palestinian and Arab leaders discussed how to calm tensions.

Israel took steps to ease the conditions of its nearly 55-year military rule over millions of Palestinians, lifting some movement restrictions and issuing thousands of work permits.