BICOM

The IDF are on high alert today as Palestinians mark the anniversary of the start of the 1967 Six-Day War, or “Naksa Day,” with demonstrations at the Gaza border.

Israeli intelligence have revised previous assessments of extreme violence today. They now expect that this Friday, the last Friday of Ramadan, will lead to a large number of organised, violent attacks on the Gaza border.

Kites carrying firebombs were flown into Israel from Gaza yesterday causing widespread damage to agricultural land. Israeli officials said that more than 200 fires have destroyed 4,300 acres of agricultural land, nature reserves and parks in recent weeks.

Israeli Defence Minister Avigdor Lieberman said: “It needs to be made clear that we are not prepared to accept the kite phenomenon, rioting along the border fence, or any attempts to breach it in an effort to cause damage to work being done on sovereign Israeli territory.”

Yesterday, Israeli President Reuven Rivlin urged Palestinian Authority (PA) President Mahmoud Abbas to condemn the current spate of violence during a phone call between the two leaders. “The terror coming from Gaza is a problem for both sides and we should hear your voice on this matter,” he said.

The President also wished Abbas a happy Ramadan and successful recovery after his illness last month.

The IDF prevented an attempted infiltration from the Gaza Strip yesterday. Two men tried to break through the border fence and one of them was carrying a large axe. One of the men was shot and killed as he attempted to flee back to Gaza after being confronted by the IDF.