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Israeli officials: Palestinian incendiary devices started fires in border communities

It comes as Israel and the United Nations allowed the transfer of Qatari funds to the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip.

Fires sparked in the Kissufim Forest along Israel’s southern border after explosive-laden balloons were launched by Hamas in the Gaza Strip, Aug. 23, 2021. Credit: Keren Kayemet LeIisrael (KKL).
Fires sparked in the Kissufim Forest along Israel’s southern border after explosive-laden balloons were launched by Hamas in the Gaza Strip, Aug. 23, 2021. Credit: Keren Kayemet LeIisrael (KKL).

Nine fires broke out on Monday near Israel’s border with the Gaza Strip that Israeli investigators believe were started by incendiary balloons launched from the Hamas-controlled enclave, reported Ynet.

Palestinian resistance groups said they would hold another anti-Israel rally on the border under the banner: “Opposition to the Israeli siege and the delay in the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip.”

It comes as Israel and the United Nations allowed the transfer of Qatari funds to Gaza.

Meanwhile, Egypt closed the Rafah border crossing in the southern Gaza Strip on Monday amid increased tensions with Hamas.

It’s the first time the crossing has been shut down during a workday since early 2021, reported the AP. It remains unclear how long the closure will last.

“When journalists make these requests, they’re really made on behalf of the public, not to bury the issue and respond 11 months later,” Randy Mastro, a former deputy New York City mayor, told JNS.
“Under any Republican administration, Israelis are never going to be sanctioned for simply advocating against aid to Hamas or advocating against illegal Palestinian construction,” Eugene Kontorovich, a law professor, told JNS.
The USAID Inspector General’s office is “also working to prevent Hamas-linked staff from jumping to other aid organizations operating in Gaza,” a senior Trump admin official told JNS.
“Regardless of how it is ultimately classified, incidents like this send shockwaves through the Jewish community,” Rabbi Noah Farkas of Jewish Federation Los Angeles told JNS.
Prosecutors said the man caused damage to both facilities before sending texts boasting about the vandalism.
Despite Israeli objections to previously reported terms, the official said Washington is confident that all U.S. allies “will get on board” with the emerging agreement.