Erez crossing (Archive photo)
Photo: Adi Segal, IDF Spokesperson
IDF distributes anti-Hamas leaflets
Army hands out leaflets to Palestinian laborers at Gaza crossing; terrorists try to undermine Palestinians' right for dignified living, leaflet charges
Psychological warfare: The IDF distributed leaflets to Palestinian laborers returning to Gaza via the Erez crossing Sunday, informing them Israel has decided to reopen the crossing despite an attempted attack last week.
"When the crossing is sealed off, who takes care of your livelihood – Fatah, Hamas, Jihad, or Israel?" the leaflets read.
Several hours after last week's attempted attack at Erez, located in northern Gaza, IDF Southern Command Head Yoav Galant announced Israel intends to reopen the crossing soon. During the attempted strike, IDF forces killed two terrorists who attempted to cross into Israel while firing and hurling hand grenades at troops.
"Not everyone is a terrorist," Galant said at the time, signaling Israel's intention to allow the 5,000 or so Palestinians who cross through Erez to continue working in Israel.
In the past, Israel sealed off the crossing for long periods of time following terror attacks. This time, however, the crossing was only kept closed over the weekend. On Sunday, thousands of Palestinians were again allowed to enter Israel, and received the leaflet upon their return.
Finger pointed at terror organizations
"Again they (terrorists) tried to undermine your right to make a dignified living with the attempted attack carried out at the crossing on Thursday," the leaflet read. "Despite this attempt, out of consideration for you, Israel decided to open the crossing a short while after it was closed down."
As was the case with previous leaflets dropped by IDF aircraft flying over Gaza, the latest leaflet again points the finger at Palestinian terror organizations.
"Your desire for dignified livelihood and the creation of conditions for continuous opening of the crossings is understandable," the leaflet read. "Make sure terror elements don't stop this from happening!"
"Palestinian civilians eventually take notice of these leaflets," a military source said. "We see quite a few cases where civilians are sick and tired of the fact terrorists are disrupting their life and bringing military activity to their doorstep, whether through sonic booms, artillery fire, or the closure of crossings."
"There's great significance to relaying this message to the population," the source said.
