Two rallies were being held in Atlanta, Tuesday, to protest the ongoing violence in the Middle East.

At 4:00 p.m., a group gathered at the Israeli Consulate on Spring Street to show their solidarity with the people of Gaza and say they want to condemn the recent violence by Israel, which has claimed the lives of women and children near Gaza City.

Meanwhile, the Israeli Consulate in Atlanta hosted a rally at the Ahavath Achim Synagogue, located at 600 Peachtree Battle N.W. at 7:30 p.m.  Several organizations and churches are expected to attend this event in an effort to show the work they're doing to help the people of Israel.

The Consulate General of Israel to the Southeast tells WSB Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed was expected to attend the event along with community rabbis and pastors.

As of Tuesday, the number of rockets and mortars fired at Israeli civilians from Gaza this year stands at over 2,000. More than three million Israelis live within range of rocket and mortar attacks.

On Tuesday, more than 60 rockets were fired at Israel with more than 20 interceptions by the Iron Dome.

Nine leading Israeli ministers convened Monday to discuss proposals for a cease fire as the international community seeks to advance truce efforts.  U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton arrived in Israel, Tuesday, to meet with Israeli leaders to discuss cease fire efforts. An Israeli official told local media that Israel will not launch a ground operation during the secretary’s visit.

Despite diplomatic efforts, Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad continue to arm themselves via terror networks outside Gaza. Deputy leader of Palestinian Islamic Jihad, Ziad Nakhleh, confirmed that rockets fired by Hamas to Israeli towns are of Iranian origin. Daoud Shihad, spokesman for Islamic Jihad in the Gaza Strip says, “Palestinian resistance is in good shape and has many rockets. Tel Aviv is in danger ... Iran has always supported the Palestinian resistance.” Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hasan Nasrallah called on the Arab world to send weapons to Gaza instead of humanitarian and medical aid.