Reports: IDF Hits Gaza Again, as Hamas Makes New Threats, Demands

Gaza sources reported Thursday afternoon that IDF forces had again attacked Hamas installations in Gaza. The strike was apparently in return for the continued use of terror balloon tactics to attack Israel.

Earlier Thursday afternoon an incendiary balloon was found in a town in the Gaza border area. The balloon landed on a tree, but did not explode. No one was injured, and there was no damage.

Meanwhile, Gaza sources reported that an Egyptian delegation that had been involved in a last-ditch effort to prevent an escalation of tension left Gaza Thursday afternoon via the Erez crossing. According to the sources, the Egyptians had failed to convince Hamas to hold off on its threat to increase violence against Israel in the weeks leading up to the election.

Hamas made that threat earlier in the week. A report on Channel 20 said the Gaza terror group had set new conditions for the avoidance of violence – a monthly payment of $20 million, to be paid directly into the accounts of terrorists who receive salaries from Hamas.

The Gaza sources, posting on social media Thursday, said that the Egyptian delegation had been instructed to tell Israel that if it wanted to avoid violence, Israel needed to “end the siege of Gaza immediately,” allowing Gazans free access into Israel and Sinai, and removing the naval blockade off the Gaza coast.

Earlier Thursday, Gaza sources said that an Arab rioter died from wounds he sustained when Israeli soldiers shot at him. The riots took place at the Gaza border fence Wednesday night, when over 1,000 Arabs threw rocks, bricks, and firebombs at IDF soldiers, who responded with anti-riot measures. Meanwhile, Gaza sources released images of what they claimed was damage from Israeli air strikes early Thursday.

The strikes took place after Gaza terrorists fired a rocket at Israel Wednesday night. In addition, several incendiary balloon devices were dispatched to Israel, with at least two exploding in the air. B’chasdei Shamayim there were no Israeli injuries or damage.