Incendiary balloon attacks and violent riots continue on Gaza border.
MICHAEL STARRPublished: SEPTEMBER 25, 2023 20:38
Israeli Defense Forces unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) struck three Hamas military positions following shooting and explosives attacks on soldiers along the security barrier over the Yom Kippur holiday, the IDF Spokesperson’s Unit said.
No casualties were suffered in the attacks on soldiers, who have been countering the violent security barrier riots that have plagued the Gaza border for 11 days.
Monday night an IDF drone struck a terrorist site where a gunman shot at troops during a Karni crossing riot. The soldiers fired at the terrorist and hit him. Hamas reported on Monday midday that a “martyr” had succumbed to wounds suffered in clashes in eastern Gaza.
Two suspects attempted to infiltrate into Israel from Gaza on Monday, but were spotted by surveillance and arrested by IDF soldiers.
The IDF hit two other Hamas positions in Bureij and Jabalya in a drone strike on Sunday evening. Riots have been held in the area, near the Bureij position an explosive device had been thrown at IDF soldiers.
The security fence between Israel and the Gaza Strip, as seen on March 8, 2023. (credit: ABED RAHIM KHATIB/FLASH90)
Palestinian terrorists continue with arson attacks
Terrorists have continued arson attacks on the Gaza envelope, sparking fires. The KKL-Jewish National Fund said that three fires were started in the Gaza periphery just after noon on Sunday, two in the Be’eri forest and one in Kissufim. Emergency teams reportedly quickly took control of the fires. At least two of the fires were started by incendiary balloons, emergency services said.
Otzma Yehudit MK Almog Cohen appealed to Defense Minister Yoav Gallant after the arson attacks, saying that the residents of the Gaza periphery needed swift military action against the attacks, especially considering the Yom Kippur fast.
Gallant visited the area on Sunday to receive a situation assessment from field commanders, after which he held a briefing with the IDF Chief of Staff, head of Aman military intelligence, and head of the Operations Directorate.
“The IDF and its soldiers, along with the entire security establishment, are standing guard — in the air, at sea and on land,” Gallant wrote on social media.
Shortly after the visit, the IDF Spokesperson’s Unit said that an additional battalion would be sent to reinforce the Gaza area.
The launching of incendiary balloons represent a renewal of arson attack after years of hiatus. Three fires were started in southern Israel by Gazan incendiary balloons on Friday, but were put out hours later by firefighters.
In response to the arson and shooting attacks against troops along the border, Israeli forces on Friday and Saturday struck Hamas military positions associated with the terrorist operations. One Hamas post was hit on Saturday night by a unmanned aerial vehicle, and another two were taken out by drone strike on Friday. Another post was destroyed by tank fire on Friday.
Hundreds of Gazans have been rioting along the border for ten days, with some of the participants throwing explosive devices and shooting at IDF troops. Gunmen have been killed in return fire by Israeli forces.
Content retrieved from: https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-760416.