BICOM

The IDF is currently increasing troop numbers along all of Israel’s borders, in anticipation of an attempt by Palestinians and their supporters to illegally cross border fences on Sunday as part of the framework of remembering the Arab defeat in the Six Day War of 1967 – known in Arabic as the ‘Naksa’ (setback). Special emphasis is to be placed on the northern border and the West Bank, after the disruption caused when infiltration attempts were made during similar commemorations for the ‘Nakba’ (catastrophe – the name used by Palestinians for the creation of Israel) in May. Troops will be equipped with non-lethal force weapons, but commanders have made clear that any attempt to breach Israel’s international borders is considered an act of violence, and makes the infiltrator the potential target of live fire – first in the form of warning shots and then in order to incapacitate.

IDF Central Command, responsible for the West Bank, will also bolster its forces, although in the ‘Nakba Day’ events the West Bank has remained generally quiet. Fewer West Bank residents than anticipated took part in events at that time. It is noteworthy that both Palestinian security forces in the West Bank, and even the security forces of the Hamas enclave in Gaza, acted in a number of instances to restrain crowds and prevent attempts by protestors to confront IDF troops. This is likely because of the current delicate political situation facing the Palestinians, as the attempts to form a unity government continue.