Protests at Palestinian refugee camps in support of Gaza

In Lebanon, rallies were held Friday in solidarity with Gaza in multiple refugee camps hosting Palestinians.

Israel and Gaza militants traded heavy fire Friday that has been met with international calls for de-escalation.

Violence broke out Tuesday when Israel killed three top members of the Islamic Jihad militant group, while subsequent strikes have killed two other senior figures.

"Resisters, strike Tel Aviv," protesters chanted in Saida, home to the country's largest refugee camp.

This week's escalation is the worst since August, when 49 Gazans were killed in three days of fighting between Islamic Jihad and Israel.

At least 19 of those fatalities were children, according to the United Nations, while rocket fire wounded three people in Israel.

That conflict followed multiple wars fought between Israel and Hamas since the group took control of Gaza in 2007.

An Israeli blockade imposed since then has made it impossible for the vast majority of 2.3 million residents to leave Gaza, where poverty and unemployment are rife.

Protesters also gathered at the Burj al-Barajneh Palestinian refugee camp, south of Beirut, after Friday prayers. They shouted slogans against Israel and in support of people in the Gaza Strip.