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Egypt issues ultimatum to Hamas, demanding it halt flaming kites against Israel

The harsh words followed Israel’s announcement that it would close the Kerem Shalom crossing to gas and fuel supplies after Hamas launched a rocket into Israel.

Fires From Kites, Gaza Border
Israeli firefighters extinguish flames in a wheat field caused from incendiary kites flown by Palestinian protesters near the Gaza border on May 30, 2018. Photo by Yonatan Sindel/Flash90.

Egypt issued a warning to Hamas to put a halt to launching of flaming kites and balloons into Israel from Gaza, according to a report in Ynet.

The ultimatum followed Israel’s announcement on Monday evening that it would close the Kerem Shalom crossing to gas and fuel supplies after Hamas launched a rocket into Israel earlier in the afternoon.

Also on Monday evening, Egypt announced that it would temporarily close the Rafah crossing in the wake of a technical malfunction.

According to the Ynet report, Hamas told Egypt that it could not entirely eliminate the kites and balloons, though allegedly told Egypt that it was working to reduce the number of incendiary balloons.

Multiple fires broke out on Monday along the Israeli border with Gaza; however, the IDF reported that the numbers were less than previously recorded.

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The amendment “would restrict our country’s ability to confront Hamas, Hezbollah and other terrorist organizations in the region who are sworn enemies of both the United States and Israel,” the House minority leader said.
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