SPECIAL SECURITY REPORT

From the IDF Spokesperson’s Unit: “The IDF will not allow cynical use of civilians, including children, women and persons with disabilities, as a cover for ongoing terrorist activity against Israeli citizens and IDF forces, and will continue to respond harshly to any such terrorist attempt.”

By Elad Benari, Canada

Israel Air Force (IAF) aircraft on Friday night attacked six terrorist targets belonging to the Hamas naval force in Gaza, the IDF Spokesperson’s Unit said.

The attack was carried out in response to the terrorist attacks and the attempts by rioters to infiltrate into Israeli territory. Palestinian Arab media reported four injuries.

Screenshot of Hamas commandos

“For several weeks now, the Hamas terrorist organization has been leading violent disturbances that constitute a cover for a series of terrorist attacks against terror infrastructures, security forces and civilians,” the IDF statement said.

“At the height of the events today, a large scale violent incursion was carried out, in which Hamas terrorist operatives led hundreds of violent rioters, including terrorists, towards Israel, while throwing explosives, hand grenades and firebombs, and even damaging the fence.”

“The IDF views with great severity the ongoing attempt by the Hamas terrorist organization to turn the fence into a space of violence and terrorism under civilian cover, with repeated attempts to damage and destroy the security and defense infrastructures,” the IDF said.

“The IDF will not allow cynical use of civilians, including children, women and persons with disabilities, as a cover for ongoing terrorist activity against Israeli citizens and IDF forces, and will continue to respond harshly to any such terrorist attempt. The response to the continuation of such incidents will not be confined to the area of ​​the fence and the Hamas terrorist organization will bear its consequences even deep inside the Gaza Strip,” it warned.

“The Hamas terrorist organization is solely responsible for what is happening in the Gaza Strip both above and below the ground,” concluded the statement.

Earlier on Friday, the riots in Gaza as part of the so-called “March of the Return” continued. The IDF said hundreds of Palestinian Arab rioters attempted to infiltrate Israel and burn the security fence adjacent to the Karni Crossing in northern Gaza.

The rioters approached the security fence, hurled rocks and firebombs, and tried to light the fence on fire. In response, IDF troops operated in accordance with the rules of engagement and thwarted the attempted infiltration.

Gazans began their violent riots, under the name “the March of the Return”, on March 30. 44 Arabs have been killed since the riots began, the health bureau in Gaza said Friday.

View original Arutz Sheva publication at:
http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/245103