The Israel Fire and Rescue Service says 17 brush fires have been sparked since 12 p.m. today in the Western Negev region, presumably by incendiary balloons launched from the Gaza Strip.
Some 80 dunams (19.7 acres) have burned down, with the blazes centered around the forests near the kibbutzim of Kissufim, Be’eri and Ein Hashlosha, the fire service says.
Gaza-based terror groups have launched numerous explosive balloons from Gaza over the past several days, sparking hundreds of wildfires and drawing retaliatory measures by Israel.
Last night, they launched rockets into Israel, some of which were intercepted by the Iron Dome. In response, the Israeli Air Force has conducted numerous strikes against Hamas targets and closed Gaza’s main commercial crossing save for humanitarian aid.
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From the Liveblog of
Sunday, August 16, 2020
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