JERUSALEM – As Gazans flanked by Hamas terrorists attempt to breach the border and attack Israelis, Egypt on Monday issued a rare condemnation of the Israel Defense Forces’ defensive actions protecting the Jewish state’s borders.
A statement from the Egyptian Foreign Ministry condemned Israel over “the use of force against peaceful marches” and warned of the “negative repercussion of such serious escalation in the Palestinian occupied territories.”
The Egyptian regime, which generally opposes Hamas and imposes its own closures on the Gaza border, remained largely silent during previous Gaza riots. Egypt may fear Hamas could attempt to extend its violent campaign to the Gaza-Sinai border. In the past, the IDF and Egypt reportedly worked together to thwart jihadist encampment in the Egyptian Sinai.
Hamas predictably took advantage of today’s official opening of the U.S. embassy in Jerusalem to stage violent riots aimed at overrunning the Israel-Gaza border.
The Hamas-run health ministry in Gaza claims that so far 52 Palestinians were killed and hundreds more wounded in riots taking place at 12 locations along the border. The casualty numbers, which are expected to rise, could not be immediately verified. Hamas has a history of exaggerating casualty numbers.
The IDF said 50,000 Gazans are participating in the clashes.
Highlighting the violent nature of the riots, three Gazans were shot while trying to plant explosive devices at the border fence, while others were killed attempting to fire on Israeli soldiers, the IDF said.
The Times of Israel reported on the numerous violent attacks during today’s riots:
Protesters set tires on fire, sending thick plumes of black smoke into the air at several spots along the border, while the military said protesters assaulted the border fence and hurled rocks at soldiers. Several incendiary kites were flown toward Israel. One fell in a field outside Kibbutz Mefalsim, sparking a fire. Israeli firefighters and emergency personnel are at the scene.
The Facebook page for the Gaza riots instructed followers on where to breach the border fence and attempt to infiltrate Israeli communities, some of which are located about 1.2 miles from the Gaza border.
Earlier on Monday, Israel’s Shin Bet security service revealed it possesses information that the violence is partly fueled by Iranian money.
“From the information we have, it appears Hamas is encouraging and sending protesters to the border fence in order to carry out violent acts and damage security infrastructure. In addition, it was found that Iran is providing funding to Hamas in order for it to carry out these violent activities along the Gaza Strip’s border fence,” the Shin Bet announced.
The Shin Bet further said that Hamas is instructing its own members to stay away from the border until civilians breach the barrier. “There is a prohibition for Hamas operatives to approach the border from a fear that they will be killed or captured by IDF troops, unless the security fence falls and then they must enter, armed, into Israel under the cover of the masses and carry out terror attacks,” said the Shin Bet statement.
The IDF said it carried out numerous strikes on Monday, including against Hamas posts utilized to fire at Israeli troops. The IDF said in a statement it carried out airstrikes in Gaza “in response to the violent acts of the last few hours being carried out by Hamas along the security fence.”
“A short while ago, an IAF fighter jet struck five terrorist targets in a military training facility belonging to the Hamas terror organization in the northern Gaza Strip,” the army said in a statement Monday afternoon.
“In addition, earlier today, an IAF aircraft and an IDF tank targeted two additional military positions belonging to the Hamas terror organization in the northern Gaza Strip. These strikes were conducted in response to the incident in which IDF forces were fired upon by Hamas in the northern Gaza Strip,” added the statement.
On Sunday, the IDF warned in a video that Hamas is planning to “massacre” Israelis if its terrorists infiltrate the Israeli border.
The army dropped leaflets over Gaza warning residents against approaching the border.
Israeli Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman further warned Gazans on Monday against participating in Hamas’s riots. “I suggest to the residents of Gaza: Do not be blinded by [Hamas leader Yahya] Sinwar, who sends your children to sacrifice their lives without hope,” Lieberman tweeted. “We will protect our citizens by all means necessary and will not allow the fence to be breached.”
This reporter previously analyzed some of the reasons Hamas may have organized the mass protests:
The Islamist terrorist group understands the Gaza population is frustrated that 11 years of Hamas rule has resulted in destructive wars – launched each time by Hamas itself – and an economy dangerously teetering on the brink of collapse. Hamas’s decision to turn Gaza into a terrorist enclave has prompted an Israel-Egypt boycott that has impacted all aspects of Gaza life, although Israel allows for truckloads of humanitarian goods and supplies per day to enter Gaza.
Gazans are also suffering from the Hamas-Fatah divide, with the rulers of the West Bank and Gaza Strip failing to reach a reconciliation agreement that would likely result in the flow of aid to Gaza.
Hamas views Israel’s upcoming 70th anniversary and President Donald Trump’s historic decision to relocate the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem as perfect opportunities to channel Gazans’ anger and redirect the rage toward the easiest target – Israel.
Hamas knows the ensuing casualty count will bring international news media attention to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, and it will thrust the issue to the forefront of the foreign policy debate.
The border clashes may also press Egypt into easing the blockade and putting Egyptian pressure on Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas’s Fatah party to reach a reconciliation deal, since Gaza tensions usually favor the jihadists operating against Egypt in the Sinai. Abbas must fear that the protests could spread to the West Bank and threaten his rule there.
Lastly, Hamas may also be signaling to Iran and to other potential state patrons that Hamas is still the dominant player in Gaza and that it is useful to financially support the terrorist movement once again.
Aaron Klein is Breitbart’s Jerusalem bureau chief and senior investigative reporter. He is a New York Times bestselling author and hosts the popular weekend talk radio program, “Aaron Klein Investigative Radio.” Follow him on Twitter @AaronKleinShow. Follow him on Facebook.