Israel shells Hamas observation posts in Gaza

By Zeynep Tufekci

GAZA (AA) – The Israeli army shelled two observation posts in the Gaza Strip belonging to Palestinian resistance group Hamas, eyewitnesses said late Friday.

In a written statement, the army said it bombed a military position of Hamas after explosives were thrown towards a security fence. It did not confirm whether it shelled another Hamas post.

The Palestinian Health Ministry in Gaza has yet to issue a statement on any casualties.

On Monday, Israel launched a wave of airstrikes across the Gaza Strip following rocket fire from the enclave that injured seven Israelis north of Tel Aviv.

The Israeli army has deployed reinforcements along the Gaza-Israel buffer zone in anticipation of Palestinian rallies Saturday marking the first anniversary of Gaza’s “Great Return” march.

Saturday’s planned demonstration will also mark Palestinian Land Day, which commemorates the killing of six Arab-Israelis by Israeli forces in 1976 during protests against land confiscations.

In the run-up to Saturday’s rallies, the army has deployed numerous tanks and armored vehicles along the buffer zone.

It is also reportedly monitoring the region with surveillance balloons and positioning snipers throughout the area.

On Thursday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reportedly instructed the army to prepare for the possibility of a “broad” campaign in Gaza.