Israel closes Gaza fishing zone after spate of arson balloon attacks

Israel’s military liaison to the Palestinians says the navy is closing the Gaza Strip’s fishing zone in response to the dozens of balloon-borne incendiary devices launched from the enclave that sparked over 100 fires in southern Israel throughout the day and in response to a mortar attack last night.

The military liaison, Maj. Gen. Ghassan Alian, known formally as the Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories, says the closure will go into effect immediately and will last until further notice.

Alian blames the de facto ruler of the Strip, the Hamas terror group, for the violence, saying it will “bear the consequences of the violence.”

The closing of the zone comes after Israel suspended a decision this morning which would have allow senior Gaza businessmen to exit the coastal enclave for the first time in months. The businessmen — who hold special permits that allow them to enter Israel — were scheduled to resume travel into Israel for economic purposes today.