Hamas terrorist group launched three rockets into the sea

Hamas launched three experimental projectiles into the sea ahead of Israel’s Jerusalem Flag Day March, N12 reported.

Later in the day, clashes broke out between the IDF and Palestinians in the area surrounding the border fence between Israel and the southern Gaza Strip, according to Ynet.

During the clashes, a Palestinian within the small group of instigators was shot in the leg and was taken away from the scene in light condition.

Concurrently, a fire broke out in a wheat field in the Sha’ar HaNegev Regional Council in the area of the Gaza border communities.

Security officials are currently looking into the cause of the fire, and whether it was ignited by an incendiary balloon.

Residents claim they saw balloons flying through the air before the fire broke out. Fire and rescue teams are currently en route to extinguishing the fire.

On Monday, Hamas threatened that the Jerusalem Flag Day march could spark a new round of conflict “to protect al-Aqsa and Jerusalem,” and called on all Arab-Israelis and east Jerusalem residents to confront those participating in the march, according to a report by Channel 13 News.

Palestinian Islamic Jihad released a statement on Tuesday stating that it will respond “with full force to the provocations of the settlers in the Holy City,” ahead of the flag march being held later in the evening.

PIJ added that it will serve to stand as an “impenetrable dam” towards anyone who tries to harm the al-Aqsa mosque, known as the Temple Mount to Jews.

“The land is our land, and Jerusalem is our sanctuary and the mosque is our mosque,” adding the “occupation” will not create a foothold within the mosque itself.

PIJ called for Palestinians and Israeli-Arabs in Jerusalem to stand together and barricade sections of the city where the march will pass to “repel the expected aggression, and to form an impenetrable fortress around the Al-Aqsa Mosque to defend it,” and additionally prevent attempts to “desecrate and Judaize our sanctities.”

“We are confident that our resistance will fail the plans of the extremist Zionist government, and will cut off its colonial Judaization ambitions in the city of Jerusalem and Al-Aqsa Mosque, and we are also confident in our people in ‘Palestine’ and the diaspora that they will stand, as they promised us, supporting us, each in [their own] position and according to [their] strength and capabilities.”

Defense Minister Gantz held situational assessments on Tuesday ahead of the march, with the participation of IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Aviv Kohavi, Police Commissioner Kobi Shabtai, the deputy head of the Shin Bet, the head of the security services, the Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories, and the head of the Political-Security Division of the Ministry of Defense.

During the discussions, officials were presented with an up-to-date intelligence picture as well as the deployment of forces in all sectors and the security of the march.

Gantz emphasized the need to prevent friction during the march and to maintain the security of all civilians, both Jewish and Muslim, and instructed that the message be heard by all relevant parties.

Source: JP