21 Fires Break Out in Southern Israel From Gaza Explosive-laden Balloons
No casualties or damage reported from conflagrations. Launches follow Israeli decision to block Qatari aid from entering the Strip
Nearly two dozen fires broke out on Friday in southern Israeli communities as a result of explosive-laden balloons launched from the Gaza Strip. No casualties were reported.
Police reported that fires broke out in areas including Sderot, the Sha'ar Hanegev and Eshkol Regional Councils, Dimona and Merhavim, but they did not cause any damage or casualties.
This comes after Israel decided that it will not allow any financial aid to enter the Gaza Strip from Qatar as long as Palestinians continue to launch explosive-laden balloons into Israel.
- Israel blocks Qatari aid to Gaza in response to incendiary balloons
- Army strikes Hamas targets after Gaza incendiary balloons scorch southern Israel
- Israel limits Gaza fishing zone as explosive-laden balloon launches continue
The decision was made after fires broke out in Israeli fields around the Gaza Strip, as a result of balloons launched by Palestinians, most of which were members of Hamas-affiliated organizations.
In the past week, intensive negotiations have taken place between Israel and Hamas, via Qatar and Egypt, in an attempt to stop the escalation on the Gaza border.
Qatar planned to transfer $30 million to the Hamas regime in the Gaza Strip every month to be distributed to its citizens.