IDF aircraft attacked two Hamas observation posts in the southern Gaza Strip in response to large amounts of explosives thrown towards Israel throughout the night during riots on the border.An explosive charge thrown during the night riots along the Gaza border triggered rocket sirens in the Eshkol region, according to an IDF spokesperson. The explosive charge did not get over the border fence.
Explosions have been heard throughout the night in the border region due to the explosives thrown during the riots.
Earlier on Saturday, three Palestinians were injured during the night-time riots along the Gaza border fence with Israel, after the IAF struck two Palestinian cells launching explosive aerial devices from the Strip into Israel over the weekend.According to local Palestinian media reports, hundreds of Gazans took part in the riots in five main locations along the border, setting fire to tires, throwing firecrackers and pointing lasers towards IDF troops deployed along the fence. Some 600 protesters returned to the border area Saturday night.
Palestinian rioters belonging to the “night confusion unit” threw fireworks and explosives at IDF soldiers on the Gaza border, and launched several barrages of incendiary balloons at southern Israel.
Residents of border communities reported hearing loud explosions. A spokesperson from the Eshkol Regional Council said explosions were part of the violence taking place on the border, adding that the IDF was at the sites where this was taking place.
Thousands of Gazans have been protesting along the security fence on a weekly basis taking part in Great March of Return demonstrations which began on March 30. The protesters are calling for an end of the 12-year-long Israeli blockade of the coastal enclave.Anna Ahronheim and Reuters contributed to this report.