Tensions in the south: Hundreds of Palestinians rioted this evening (Tuesday) at the border of the Gaza Strip, when the IDF forces worked to disperse them with measures to disperse demonstrations. It was reported in the Palestinian media that four people were injured in the incident - including one who reached the hospital in serious condition and died a short time later.
According to the Palestinian reports, the rioters burned tires and set off explosive devices in several centers near the border. Following this, it was reported that one of the internal fences had been breached by the demonstrators - but at this stage there were no reports of Palestinians crossing the border.
As you may recall, last week the riots by the Arabs at the border fence returned, and they include the burning of tires, the placing of explosives, and in one case also shooting at IDF positions. The IDF's position - similar to the incident in which Amit Ben Yigal was killed about two years ago. In response to the shooting, an IDF aircraft fired at a Hamas observation post in the northern Gaza Strip, with one terrorist slightly wounded.
Following the riots, the coordinator of government operations in the territories announced the closure of the crossings from the Gaza Strip to Israel for laborers to enter - thus extending the closure in the Gaza Strip that began on Rosh Hashanah. The decision was made at the end of a security situation assessment and in accordance with the instructions of the Minister of Defense and the Chief of Staff, when the coordinator of operations made it clear that "reopening will be examined according to the assessment of the situation in the region".
