BICOM

The Israeli military has increased its presence on the Gaza border ahead of anticipated violent demonstrations on Saturday.

According to the Israel Defence Forces (IDF): “A Division Headquarters, three infantry Brigades and an artillery unit have been dispatched to enhance the Southern Command” in preparation for Hamas marking the one year anniversary of the “March of Return” as well as commemorating Land Day, both of which fall on Saturday.

The IDF and Police have also been deployed to form defensive rings around civilian communities close to the border in the event that hundreds of Palestinian break through the border fence and enter Israel.

Following a familiar pattern, the IDF are expecting violent demonstrations to be held in at leave five locations along the border fence. Yesterday Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said:  “We’re creating a security cordon around the Gaza Strip, in recent days I’ve moved troops and added equipment so that we’re ready for a broad operation. Israel’s citizens, know this: if we need a broad operation, we’ll enter it strong and secure after all other options have failed.”

Israel’s media has reported that many residents of Israeli communities close to the Gaza border have chosen to leave the area for the weekend ahead of the planned demonstrations.

On Thursday an Israeli drone fired towards a group of Palestinians suspected of launching flying firebombs into Israel from the northern Gaza Strip. Palestinian sources say three were injured.

Amos Harel reports in Haaretz that the IDF believe that the missiles fired on Monday that destroyed the home of a British-Israeli family in Mishmeret, as well as the missiles fired at Tel Aviv earlier this month were mistakes by Hamas. “The IDF apparently took caution this time and refrained from saying this in a public statement, so as not to appear to be defending Palestinians and probably also due to concerns that the Israeli public will find it difficult to believe this account”, he said.