IDF soldiers frightened off a group of Gazans who apparently decided to sneak towards the Gaza security fence with Israel — an activity that is clearly dangerous and known to everyone to carry a possible death sentence.
Someone approaching the security fence from the Gaza side in the middle of the night obviously has — at the least — highly suspect reasons for doing so.
This incident took place across from the so-called “refugee camp” of El Bureij in central Gaza, home to nearly 40,000 people — nearly double the population of the northern Israeli Negev city of Arad. The place has a long history of conflict and hatred of Israel.
In the dark, Israeli soldiers made the best choice: they detonated a brief illumination bomb and aimed it at the fence, thus lighting up the entire area in the process.
Unsurprisingly, the illuminating bomb that illuminated the area inspired the suspects to retrace their steps and return to Gaza territory.
It’s not clear what their motives were, but it is very clear they weren’t coming to defect, celebrate a melave malka (Saturday night party to greet the new week) or offer assistance to IDF soldiers serving in the area.
Even the smallest candle can light the deepest darkness. So much more so, a illumination bomb.