From the Liveblog of
Monday, August 24, 2020
Defense minister threatens Hamas over balloon-borne attacks
Defense Minister Benny Gantz threatens to step up Israeli retaliations to ongoing balloon-based attacks from the Gaza Strip during a visit to an Iron Dome battery in southern Israel earlier today, his office says.
“The heads of Hamas need to know: When balloons explode on our side, the explosions on their side will be much more painful,” Gantz says.
The defense minister visited the Iron Dome battery with the head of the Israel Defense Forces’ Air Defense Division, Brig. Gen. Ran Kochav.
“I am here at one of the air defense sites deployed in the south. Everyone is doing a great job protecting the southern communities and Israel’s air space. We are unwilling to accept any rockets, any explosive balloons or any defense violation. As long as it lasts – we will continue to act and continue to respond,” he says.
— Judah Ari Gross
The Times of Israel Community.