GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip — Protesters have been flying kites outfitted with Molotov cocktails into Israeli towns surrounding the Gaza Strip, causing major fires, as the Israeli authorities threaten to retaliate and prepare for potential outbreaks of violence during a special Palestinian commemoration event June 8.

"We will settle accounts with Hamas, Islamic Jihad and the rest of the terrorists operating against us from the Gaza Strip," Israeli Defense Minister Avigdor Liberman warned June 4. He said 600 burning kites had come from the Gaza Strip into Israel since the end of March. Only 400 had been intercepted, and the remaining 200 had burned more than 2,200 acres of farmland and forest in Israel, he said.

Violence escalated along the Gaza Strip border with Israel beginning March 30, when Palestinians began the Great Return March to call for their right to return to lands expropriated by Israel. The protesters are also seeking to end Israel's devastating 11-year blockade on the Gaza Strip.

The demonstrations will continue, Hamas political bureau member Khalil al-Hayya vowed in a May 31 interview on Al-Aqsa TV.