Three fires were started by Hamas arson balloons in Israeli agricultural fields on Friday, despite the “ceasefire” agreement made between Gaza’s ruling terrorist organization and Israel.
Another fire was started by an arson balloon in Israeli territory on Saturday.
Also on Friday, some 5,600 Gazans gathered along the security fence to roll burning tires, throw rocks, grenades, live fireworks and other improvised explosive devices (IEDs) at the IDF soldiers guarding the border. Arab sources said 16 attackers were injured in the violence, but there was no way to independently confirm the report.
Hamas threatened to escalate its weekly border violence, arson balloon launches and “independent” attacks against Israel in the coming days if “the commitment to relieve the siege on Gaza [isn’t] implemented,” according to a report by the London-based Al Araby Al Jadeed.
Earlier in the year Hamas signed an agreement to end its rocket fire, arson and explosive balloon launches and weekly border violence in exchange for Israel allowing the passage into Gaza of $25 million in Qatari funds, the easing of economic sanctions – including some imports of dual-use items that can be used to manufacture weapons – and expansion of the Gaza maritime fishing zone.
Israel began implementing its part of the deal.
Hamas has yet to carry out any part of its own agreement: to date, thousands of Gazans still show up faithfully each and every Friday to carry out the terror group’s orders, hurling rocks, explosives and burning tires at IDF soldiers and making attempts to cut through or tear apart the border security fence.
Terrorists are still infiltrating and attempting to carry out attacks on Israeli territory, and arson balloons are still being launched every week.
Rockets were fired at southern Israel on Friday and Saturday night this week, with several people treated by medics for severe anxiety and one elderly woman sent to the hospital for extended treatment as a result.
READ: Multiple Rockets Launched at Southern Israel
The roofs of a number of buildings were damaged and shrapnel was found in several yards and even a kindergarten after the Iron Dome anti-missile defense system was activated to intercept two of three rockets that were fired at southern Israel on Saturday night alone.
Israel retaliated with restraint late Saturday night for the most recent rocket attacks, with the head of the Shaar HaNegev Regional Council calling for the government to come up with a more effective way to restore deterrence in the south.
