Israel says it will deploy rescue mission after 'violent incident' targeting Israeli citizens in Amsterdam

The Israeli military has said it is preparing to deploy an immediate rescue mission following "a very violent incident" targeting Israeli citizens in Amsterdam.

"The mission will be deployed using cargo aircraft and include medical and rescue teams," the Israeli Defence Forces said.

The rescue will be coordinated with the Dutch government, it added.

Benjamin Netanyahu's office said on Friday morning that the Israeli prime minister had been informed of the details of "a very violent incident" in Amsterdam and had ordered for two rescue planes to be sent there immediately.

Israel's national security ministry has also urged its citizens in the Dutch city to stay in their hotels, the prime minister's office added.

The incident has been linked to a football match at the Johan Cruyff Arena in which Ajax Amsterdam defeated Maccabi Tel Aviv 5-0, according to reports.

Footage shared on social media shows Israeli supporters pulling down a Palestinian flag in central Amsterdam last night. Anti-Arab chants can also be heard.

Israeli security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir said in a post on X: "Fans who went to see a football game, encountered anti-Semitism and were attacked with unimaginable cruelty just because of their Jewishness and Israeliness."

Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof said in a post on X that he had "followed the news from Amsterdam with disgust."

He added that he was in touch with Mr Netanyahu about the incident and said the city was now "calm".

Local police said a total of 57 people were arrested.

Maccabi supporters had gathered in the Dam Square in the afternoon before the match, and around 10 people there were arrested for criminal offences including disrupting public disorder, police said.

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Meanwhile, a planned demonstration against the arrival of the Tel Aviv side's players took place at the Anton de Komplein square, around a 15-minute walk from the Johan Cruyff Arena.

Part of this group tried to get to the ground but were stopped by riot police, who were pelted with fireworks, the force said.

Around 30 people were arrested at and near the arena, most of them for disrupting public order and carrying or lighting fireworks, the statement continued.

Police said fans left the arena without incident after the match, but clashes were reported in the city centre during the night.

Videos posted on social media showed crowds running through the streets and a man being beaten.

Israel's foreign minister Gideon Saar has asked the Dutch government to help Israeli citizens arrive safely at the airport, Saar told his Dutch counterpart Caspar Veldkamp in a phone call on Friday, news agency Reuters reported.

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