BICOM

Palestinians hurled molotov cocktails at an IDF post near the city of Hebron overnight and a rocket was fired from Gaza into southern Israel early Tuesday as Israeli security forces brace for protests and violence as Palestinians mark ‘Nakba Day’. No injuries were reported in Hebron, and there were no reports of injuries or damage after the rocket fell in the Sha’ar Hanegev region.

Nakba (catastrophe) Day marks Israel’s founding in 1948 on 15 May each year.

The IDF has deployed along the borders while police forces are stepping up their presence at friction points in anticipation of possible clashes. While military intelligence sources said they don’t anticipate a repeat of last year’s events, when hundreds of protesters stormed Israel’s borders with Syria and Lebanon, security forces are maintaining a high level of alert.

A senior officer in the central command said the IDF would not let the borders be breached and would “respond appropriately to any attempts to do so.” “We can’t ignore the recent high tensions and therefore will place commanders at friction points and show as much restraint as possible,” he added.

During a visit to units on the border, IDF Chief of General Staff Lt. Gen. Benny Gantz said, “We are hoping for the best and preparing for the worst.”