32 Palestinians reportedly hurt in Gaza beach protest
Medical sources say dozens of protesters were wounded on Monday by IDF fire as Gazans throw flaming tires over fence and hoist Palestinian flags in a violent seashore demonstration; earlier, IAF aircraft strikes Hamas position.
Protesters threw flaming tires over the fence, while fishing boats hoisted Palestinian flags. Israeli forces responded with tear gas and live fire.
Earlier, an IAF aircraft fired at a Hamas position in the southern Gaza Strip after two terrorists planted an explosive device near the border fence.
The explosive device went off inside the strip and caused damage to the fence. No IDF soldiers were hurt.
The ruling Hamas terror group has been staging violent border protests for the past six months in hopes of breaking the blockade over Gaza.
It has intensified the protests and incendiary balloons terror in recent weeks as Egyptian-mediated ceasefire efforts have faltered.
Over the weekend, Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman ordered to halt Qatari-donated fuel shipments to Gaza's power plant in response to the escalated protests.
The defense minister also warned Hamas of the likelihood of a military operation saying Israel only engages in battle when it has no other choice and that it has “left no stone unturned” in its efforts to reach an agreement regarding Gaza.
On Sunday, the Security Cabinet convened for four hours and decided to wait until the weekend before deciding on concrete steps vis-à-vis Gaza and give another chance to a cease fire arrangement being brokered by the UN and Egypt.
