Some 10,000 rioters led by Gaza’s ruling Hamas terrorist organization gathered as usual on Friday to burn tires, hurl rocks, firebombs (flaming Molotov cocktails) and IEDs (improvised explosive devices) at IDF soldiers guarding the border security fence.
Rioters along the Gaza border fence are launching explosive balloons into Israel, IEDs, stones, and other objects are being thrown at soldiers. pic.twitter.com/3xImOzZNc7
— Honest Reporting Israel (@ReportingHonest)
A number of the rioters also attempted to cut through and damage the fence in order to infiltrate the border, creating a way for Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad terrorists to enter Israeli territory and carry out terror attacks in nearby Jewish communities. There were unconfirmed reports in Arab media saying that several succeeded in cutting through the fence.
IDF soldiers responded to the violence with tear gas and rubber bullets. But in cases in which their lives were directly threatened, or the terrorists had reached the security fence and were in the process of breaching the border, they opened fire in accordance with the IDF standard rules of engagement.
According to Israeli media reports quoting Arab sources, 83 Gazans were wounded at the border by the time the rioters began to disperse towards Friday evening, including one reported in critical condition.
IDF combat soldiers also arrested a suspect who crossed the perimeter fence in the southern Gaza Strip, according to a statement by the IDF Spokesperson. The infiltrator had no weapons; he was transferred to security personnel for interrogation.
This report was filed in New York prior to the start of the holy Sabbath.