Local authorities in southern Israel have called for residents of the area to refrain from using firecrackers or similar during the upcoming Purim holiday, due to the spate of explosive balloon attacks from Gaza.
A statement from the local authorities said that their emergency hotlines have been "inundated by frightened citizens" who confused the detonation of the minor explosives with balloon attacks.
The light-hearted festival, which this year begins on March 9, celebrates the Jewish people's escape from a murderous plot by Haman, an official in the Persian empire in around 4 BCE. The mention of Haman's name in the Book of Esther, which recounts the Purim story and is read during the holiday, is traditionally met with boos, jeers and loud noises.