BICOM

The Israel Defence Force (IDF) is preparing for violence on the Gaza border for the sixth consecutive week.

Israeli security forces are deeply concerned about hundreds or even thousands of Palestinians breaking through the Gaza border and infiltrating Israel, under the cover of the protests.

Last week Israeli soldiers observed a young Hamas member briefing demonstrators over a loudspeaker. A group of 700 Palestinians then separated from the main protest and attempted to break through the border fence.

The IDF is also concerned by the continued use of kites with explosives attached. Yesterday, they were used to set fire to crops on the Israeli side of the fence. According to Palestinian sources, hundreds of explosive kites have been prepared for use today. The IDF may respond to this violence by attacking Hamas positions elsewhere in Gaza.

Earlier this week,  Maj. Gen. Kamil Abu Rokon took over as the new IDF Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT), becoming the second Druze officer to reach the rank of Major-General.

Abu Rokon said: “The challenges we face are more complex than ever.  If we look southward, it seems that Gaza poses a real challenge. We understand the significance of the humanitarian deterioration in the Gaza Strip.” Referring to the Gaza protests he said: “Hamas understands that it must divert the frustration of the Gazans to the border with Israel, otherwise it will find itself in trouble after a decade of destruction and its failure to provide for the Gaza Strip and its inhabitants.”

The Shin Bet announced the arrest of several Hamas members in the Ramallah area suspected of receiving tens of thousands of Euros intended for Hamas activities in the West Bank.

On 7 March, undercover Border Police officers at Bir Zeit University arrested Hamas member Omar Kiswani, a 24-year-old resident of Beit Iksa and chairman of the student council. According to the Shin Bet investigation:“Kiswani was in contact with Hamas member Yassin Rabia, who had been expelled to the Gaza Strip in the context of the Shalit deal, as well as with Hamas members in Turkey, and had sought funds to advance Hamas activity at Bir Zeit University.”

The security services also reported that “Rabia subsequently transferred to him approximately 150,000 Euros, which were concealed in several locations throughout Judea and Samaria [The West Bank]. Kiswani collected the money along with his friend and fellow Hamas student association member Yahya Alawi, 20. The two used the funds to promote Hamas activities.”

Israeli security officials view the case as an attempt by Hamas commanders in Turkey and Gaza to support Hamas activities in the West Bank by bringing in money and use it to potentially buy weapons or explosive material.