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IDF prepares for Gaza protests to intensify

[ssba]

The Israeli military is preparing for more violence along the Gaza border, with the so-called “March of Return” expected to reach its peak today and tomorrow.

The IDF dropped leaflets over the Gaza Strip early Monday morning warning Palestinians not to approach the border fence, with more than 100,000 Palestinians expected to take part in the protests. The Arabic-language leaflets told residents that Hamas was endangering their lives. “At the same time, Hamas is stealing your money and using it to dig tunnels at your expense. You deserve a better government. You deserve a better future.”

The leaflets added that “the IDF is determined to protect Israeli civilians and Israeli sovereignty against the Hamas terror attempts under the guise of the violent riots. Do not approach the security fence nor participate in the Hamas display that is putting you at risk”.

On Friday 15,000 Palestinians took part in demonstrations that were held at five points along the Gaza Strip border. Two Palestinians were killed, while a third died from her wounds yesterday. Several hundred were injured, some by live ammunition, and many by tear gas inhalation. Later that night, several dozen Palestinians broke into the Palestinian side of the Kerem Shalom crossing and vandalised the fuel depot, the gas pipeline and other infrastructure that services Gaza’s basic needs. Israel was forced to close the crossing and the repairs are estimated to cost 30m shekels.

The IDF released a statement yesterday claiming that Hamas has been “leading, organising and scheduling extremely violent riots at the Gaza Strip border for the last weeks. IDF preparations along the Gaza Strip border include an increased deployment of a number of combat battalions, special units, field intelligence forces and snipers.”

On Saturday night the Israeli Air Force bombed and destroyed a Hamas tunnel that had been dug from Beit Hanoun towards the Erez crossing. It was the ninth Hamas tunnel destroyed by Israel this year.