LIVEBLOG: Celebrations and tensions as thousands attend Jerusalem Day flag parade
Roughly 3,000 officers are patrolling Jerusalem, and the Iron Dome is ready for rockets from Gaza
Tens of thousands of Israelis participated in the march through the Old City waving blue and white flags. Preparations started at dawn, amidst high tensions. A ceasefire was reached between Israel and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) terrorist group, after five days of conflict, less than a week ago on Saturday.
More than 2,000 police officers will provide security for the march, as well as more than 1,000 other security officers to protect events in the capital throughout the day, law enforcement officials announced.
The Palestinian terrorist group Hamas issued threats against the traditional flag march scheduled to take place on Jerusalem Day. Salah al-Bardawil, a senior Hamas official, said in a statement, "The Zionist flag march will not pass, and the response will inevitably come."
President Herzog: 'We have been privileged to fulfill the dream of previous generations'
"Today we celebrate the fulfillment of a thousand-year-old Jewish dream to return to Jerusalem, a dream that has become part of the DNA of the Jewish people, who prayed and wished for "next year in Jerusalem." We, this generation that sits in Zion, have been privileged to fulfill the dream of previous generations - we are here in a united Jerusalem forever and ever. Happy Jerusalem holiday!" wishes Israel's President.
Netanyahu: 'Jerusalem will be united forever'
Speaking at state ceremony at the state ceremony for Jerusalem Day at Ammunition Hill in Jerusalem, the prime minister vows that the Jewish state capital remains "united forever."
"Despite the threats, and I would say, because of the threats, I directed that the flag march be held with the participation of thousands, properly and along its customary route. We dealt heavy blows on those who attacked us in the Gaza Strip and I believe that the message was received and not just by them, but in other places in our region as well, that saw the impressive operational capabilities of the State of Israel. And if an additional reminder proves necessary to restore deterrence – it will also come. We have changed the equation," stresses Netanyahu.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu wishes Israelis Happy Jerusalem Day
"Despite the threats, because of the threats, I instructed to hold the parade of flags with the participation of thousands on its route, in its order and in its manner. Happy Jerusalem holiday!" the prime minister tweeted.
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National Security Minister Ben-Gvir: 'Jerusalem is ours'
National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir tells crowds at the Jerusalem Day flag march that "whoever thinks that he can threaten us should know, the nation of Israel lives."
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Several journalists attacked by flag march attendees in Jerusalem
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Reports of gas bombs being dropped on Palestinian protesters in Gaza
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Israeli military disperses demonstrators near Gaza border fence
"Dozens of rioters are now gathering near the fence in the northern Gaza Strip," the IDF spokesperson says, adding that soldiers used "measures to disperse demonstrators", who violated the order. There are no casualties on the Israeli side.
Palestinians burn tires along Gaza-Israel border to protest Jerusalem Day march
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National Security Minister Ben-Gvir attends flag march
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Reports of far-right activists attacking Palestinians during flag march
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Police on guard as protesters march throuh Old City's Muslim quarter
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National Security Minister to arrive to flag march
Israel's National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir expected to arrive to the flag march in Jerusalem in a few minutes.
Jerusalem areas relatively empty due to "sterile zones"
Jordan releases condemnation
Jordan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates released a statement, and a tweet, in which they "condemned allowing a member of the Israeli government, members of the Knesset, and extremists to storm the blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque / Al-Haram Al-Sharif."
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Jerusalem Day continues, with Israeli lawmakers' participation, despite threats
Business as usual in Muslim Quarter
Israel Police Spokesperson says the police has not asked any shop owners to close their stores during the Jerusalem Day events.
Some owners have opted to close their shops to avoid clashes and damages, says our Middle East correspondent Ariel Oseran.
Hamas calls to "protect" Al-Aqsa Mosque
Hamas spokesperson Abd al-Latif al-Qanou says the battle over the Al-Aqsa Mosque is "open and ongoing," issues call for supporters to gather to "protect and escalate the different arenas."
Preventing escalation
The Egyptian mediator has reportedly relayed a message to the Palestinian factions in Gaza that the Israeli government is not interested in a security escalation or changing the status quo on Temple Mount, this according to the Lebanese newspaper Al-Akhbar.
WATCH: Jews visit Temple Mount to celebrate the reunification of Jerusalem following the 1967 ‘Six-Day War’
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Two members of Jewish Power at the Temple Mount
Two members from the Jewish Power political party were reportedly at the Temple Mount. Yitzhak Wasserlauf, Minister for the Development of the Periphery, the Negev and the Galilee, and Ayala Ben Gvir, the wife of National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir.