On Friday, the Gazans blew up the gas pipe and conveyor system that bring them fuel and supplies through the Kerem Shalom crossing. Defense Minister Avigdor Liberman has shut down the crossing until further notice.
Israeli reconnaissance planes fired at least two missiles at Beit Hanoun in the northern Gaza Strip late Saturday, according to Ma’an. The agency cited witnesses who claimed the bombing targeted an electric generator in the area, which led to its destruction and caused fire in the surrounding area.
غارات جوية عنيفة من الطائرات الحربية الإسرائيلية على مدينة بيت حانون شمال قطاع غزة pic.twitter.com/8Eyl7ZdGj9
— محمد ٲبوسام (@YHdNnkH0Xxfw8qI)
The F-16 fighter jets resumed firing at the site with seven rockets, but no casualties were reported.
The IDF Spokesperson’s Office confirmed that “the explosions that are being heard in the northern Gaza Strip are the result of Israeli army activity.”
Apparently there was a launch of a ground-to-air missile against Israeli aircraft during the raid, according to Ma’an.
An Arab was shot dead by IDF forces east of Gaza City during riots at the al-Awda refugee camp.
A number of Arab youths managed to destroy part of the security fence in the town of Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip, and damage cameras.
Arab rioters on Friday set fire to the pipeline through which Israel supplies gas and fuel to the Gaza Strip at the Kerem Shalom crossing, as well as the conveyor belt for importing goods.
Replacing the pipe will cost about $3 million, a new conveyor belt will cost about $6.5 million. Damage from the fire is estimated in millions. This was the second consecutive week when Arab rioters have set fire to the Gaza Strip side of the crossing – the only point through which goods like food, equipment and fuel pass through.
הפלסטינים גם שרפו את מסוע האגריגרטים שעלותו 23 מיליון שח pic.twitter.com/J620X26KdY
— nir dvori (@ndvori)
Earlier on Saturday, Defense Minister Avigdor Liberman announced the closure of the Kerem Shalom crossing. According to the IDF’s announcement, the crossing will remain closed, except for humanitarian cases that will be approved on an individual basis, until repair of the damage caused by the arson is complete.