BICOM

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned Hamas not to test Israel’s resolve after a missile fired into Israel from Gaza prompted a retaliatory airstrike.

On Saturday night a missile landed in an open area in the Eshkol region. Earlier in the day bomb disposal experts detonated an anti-tank bomb that was found in a wooded area in the Sdot Negev Regional Council, where thousands of Israelis were spending their weekend.

In response, the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) Spokesperson’s Office said Israeli aircraft attacked a Hamas military compound in the southern Gaza Strip and subterranean infrastructure in the northern Gaza Strip. It also stated that the air strike was carried out in retaliation for the missile fire and following the recent attacks from the Gaza Strip, including explosive balloons and attempts to damage security infrastructure.

Netanyahu told the Israeli cabinet: “I have heard people from Gaza saying that since we are in an election campaign, a large-scale operation is out of the question. I suggest to Hamas – don’t count on it. We will do whatever it takes to restore security and quiet to the Gaza perimeter and to the south in general.”

On Friday, thousands of Palestinians rioted near the border fence to mark the 50^th consecutive week of the “March of Return” protests along the Gaza border. One Palestinian was killed by IDF fire and two Palestinians were arrested by IDF soldiers after they had infiltrated into Israel. According to the IDF the Palestinians had a grenade and a knife in their possession.

Palestinian newspaper al-Ayyam reported on Saturday that Hamas agreed to reduce violence from Gaza in return for economic concessions by Israel. An Egyptian official, Talal Abu Tharefa, who was part of a delegation visiting Gaza last week, told al-Ayyam that the agreement would include restoring a high-voltage power line in Gaza, expanding the fishing zone and facilitating international economic projects.

Officials in the Gaza Strip hope that the intensive talks that the Egyptians have been conducting with the involvement of the Qataris, will lead to a long term truce arrangement that will restore quiet and lead to the lifting of the blockade on the Gaza Strip. Israeli officials believe it is Islamic Jihad, and not Hamas, that is trying to keep up the violence.