Riots erupted in several locations across Israel Tuesday evening as tensions between Arabs and Jews continued running high and the IDF was waging a military campaign in the Gaza Strip.
Police have fired tear gas and stun grenades in the central city of Lod after rioters started throwing rocks at officers during the funeral of an Arab man who was allegedly shot dead by a Jewish resident.
The shooting early on Tuesday came at a time of heightened tensions following weeks of unrest in Jerusalem and heavy fighting between Israel and Hamas militants in the Gaza Strip. The fighting has spilled over into Israel's Arab sector, with protests taking place in dozens of communities across the country.
The victim was identified as 25-year old Moussa Hassoun who was killed during riots that broke out in the city in the wake of the tensions in Jerusalem.
Hassoun was taken to Shamir Medical Center where he was pronounced dead.
Thousands of people took part in the funeral in Lod. Police said two officers were injured and a patrol car was set on fire.
Police have arrested three people suspected of involvement in the shooting.
"Lod is burning," a senior police official said on Tuesday. "The riots continued all night and Arab youths were determined to hurl stones and set fires," he said, adding that a synagogue and a military academy in the city was set on fire during the rioting.
The rioters also replaced Israeli flags put up by the municipality in the city with Palestinian flags. At least 16 rioters in Lod and the neighboring Ramla were arrested.
Jewish residents in Lod reported rioters threw rocks at windows of residences across the city. In the Ramat Eshkol neighborhood of the city, police fired tear gas at rioters and called in reinforcements. Part of the railway track in Lod was closed after the rioters set fire to tires near the track. Firefighters arrived at the scene and put out the flames.
Two police officers were injured in clashes with rioters in the predominately Arab Tel Aviv suburb of Jaffa. Police arrested one suspect.
Police were on high alert in northern Israel, preparing for disturbances and rioters blocking roads. Large forces were deployed to mixed cities such as Haifa and Acre and the Arab towns of Sakhnin, Tamra, Deir al-Assad and Baana among others where. demonstrations were expected.