Incendiary balloons launched from Gaza spark at least 9 fires in southern Israel
Fire crews working to douse blazes caused by arson balloons launched by terrorists in the Gaza Strip
Israel Fire and Rescue Services investigators on late Monday afternoon determined that arson balloons launched from the Gaza Strip caused at least nine fires that have broken out in southern Israel, with one blaze still under investigation.
Fire crews, including one volunteer unit, were working with KKL-JNF and the IDF in battling blazes that have flared up in thorny areas in the Eshkol and Sdot Negev regional council areas, according to a statement from the Fire and Rescue Services for Israel's southern district.
A fire that broke out in the Negev area was under investigation to determine the cause.
The arson balloon attacks come at a time of increased tensions between Israel and the Hamas-ruled coastal enclave. Over the weekend clashes took place in which an Israeli border police officer was critically injured.
Sergeant Bar-el Hadaria Shmueli, 21, was shot by a Palestinian who was able to approach the security fence.
Palestinian rioters and Israeli security forces clashed on Saturday during protests along the fence separating Israel from the Gaza Strip, as protesters threw explosive projectiles and attempted to cross the border.
The Israeli army "responded with riot dispersal means, including when necessary live fire." The Palestinian Health Ministry said that "forty-one civilians were wounded with various injuries," including a 13-year-old boy who was shot in the head.
According to the police, Shmueli is a sniper and belongs to the special forces unit of the Mista'arvim, whose members are specifically trained to blend in with the Arab population.
He took part in "dozens of operations carried out to thwart terrorist attacks in the southern region of the country."