Three fires in Israel today sparked by Gaza incendiary balloons — fire service

At least three brush fires were sparked throughout the day in southern Israel by balloons carrying incendiary devices that were launched from the Gaza Strip, marking an apparent return of the phenomenon, the fire department says.

Another balloon that apparently carried an explosive device was found near the city of Arad, some 80 kilometers (50 miles) from the coastal enclave. It was located by police and detonated in a controlled explosion, police say.

Throughout the day, several blazes were reported in the Hof Ashkelon and Eshkol Regions, northeast and east of the Gaza Strip, respectively — all of which were quickly brought under control.

An investigation into the cause of the fires determined that they were sparked by balloon-borne incendiary devices, the southern division of Fire and Rescue Services says.

— Judah Ari Gross