Hamas prepares for a new conflict against Israel after Saturday protests, claim Israeli officials

Jerusalem/Gaza: – Israeli officials have claimed that Hamas is preparing for a new war, against Israel, in the wake of Saturday’s protests in the Gaza Strip and subsequent Israeli airstrikes. Israel is believed to have hit Hamas hard in the Hamas-Israel conflict. But, according to Israeli officials, Hamas has once again set rocket-producing sites in the last few days. Hamas also warned that it would intensify the protests during a press conference held on Sunday.

Hamas called for protests on Saturday to mark the 52nd anniversary of the fire at the Al Aqsa shrine. Thousands of protesters gathered near a security fence between Israel and Gaza on Saturday afternoon. In some time, protesters stormed a wall where Israeli troops were stationed. Protesters tried to launch an attack when Israeli forces initiated an action. One protester fired a handgun at an Israeli soldier. The soldier is said to have been seriously injured. More than 40 protesters were injured in action by Israeli security forces.

Following Saturday’s protests, the Israeli army launched an attack on Hamas‘ weapon depots in the Gaza Strip. The Israeli military says four weapon depots were destroyed in the drone strikes. These include sites in central Gaza and the Khan Younis area. The Israeli army said that the action was taken in retaliation for the riot caused by the protesters and the bullet fired at the Israeli soldier. Groups in Gaza opened fire with machine guns during Israeli drone strikes.

On Saturday, the call for protests by Hamas is said to be part of the escalating repression since its withdrawal in May. Israeli military officials have claimed that the protests are expected to intensify soon, with a possibility of large-scale attacks. Egypt has decided to close its border with the Gaza Strip amid rising tensions between Israel and Hamas. An Egyptian official said the decision was aimed at increasing pressure on Hamas.