Hamas test-fires rockets escalating tensions with Israel
Hamas test-fired missiles toward the sea in the Gaza Strip in a warning to Israel that the calm along the border might not last.
GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip — Hamas’ military wing, Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades, test-fired eight medium-range missiles into the sea of the Gaza Strip on Aug. 10.
Many Palestinian and Israeli pundits considered the missile launching as a warning to Israel that Hamas is heading for a military confrontation should the Israeli blockade on Gaza remain in place, as Hamas claims that Israel is failing to uphold truce understandings reached in October 2018.
Prior to firing rockets, dozens of incendiary and explosive balloons were launched from the Gaza Strip toward southern Israel, causing the outbreak of 30 fires in Israeli agricultural fields Aug. 10. This prompted Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz to punish Gazans by partially shutting down the Kerem Shalom commercial border crossing in southern Gaza, and prevent the entry of building material into the enclave.
The uptick in violence between Israel and Hamas comes at a time that the Qatari monthly financial assistance distributed to Gaza will cease by early September.
