Tensions have escalated this week on Israel’s border with Gaza, as over 80 fires were reported reported in southern Israel this week caused by incendiary balloons sent from inside the Gaza Strip.
The fires damaged hundreds of acres of woodland in the Beeri Forest. This week has seen fires in several other locations across the Eshkol Regional Council, near Kibbutz Kissufim, in the Shaar Hanegev Regional Council, Kibbutz Nahal Oz and Kibbutz Erez.
Wednesday, at least 24 fires were sparked by incendiary balloons in southern Israel, and 60 were reported on Tuesday.
The fires forced the evacuation of a number of Bedouin families living in the area, but no casualties were reported.
Israel’s Defence Minister Benny Gantz said Israel would respond “forcefully” if the attacks continued. Gantz said: “In the South, Hamas is continuing to enable explosive balloon attacks to be launched into the State of Israel. We are not prepared to accept that and have closed the Kerem Shalom border crossing as a result … they would do well to stop violating Israel’s safety and security. If that doesn’t happen, we will need to respond, and forcefully”.
In response to the attacks, Israel has targeted Hamas infrastructure in Gaza. The IDF confirmed that combat planes, helicopter gunships and tanks targeted a military compound, underground infrastructure and observation posts. No injuries were reported on the Palestinian side.
