Gaza factions warn next Friday protest ‘crucial test’ for IDF, vow harsh response

Joint factions in the Gaza Strip issued a strongly worded statement on Sunday warning Israel Defense Forces (IDF) that the upcoming Friday protests would act as a “crucial test” in assessing the army’s conduct, after four Palestinians were killed in last week’s border clashes.

“The behavior on Friday crossed all red lines, we will not sit idly by in the face of these crimes,” the statement wrote about last week’s events that have caused widespread condemnation across the Palestinian political spectrum.

Mohammed al-Jarouh, 16, Ayman Munir Mohammed Shehr, 18, Maher Yasin, 40, and Abdelaziz Ibrahim Abu Sharia’a, 28, all died of gunshot wounds from Israeli fire with an additional 130 said to have been injured, according to the Gazan Health Ministry.

“They were not a danger to the occupation forces,” the statement continued claiming that the deceased had been protesting within 300-600 meters from the fence. “Even if they deprive us of money, electricity, water and air…the shedding of Palestinian blood will not stop us from carrying out our duty.”

The statement threatened that this Friday would act as the “crucial test day” in assessing the “behavior and intentions” of the IDF. It further implied that the Palestinians were preparing to respond harshly dependent upon Israel’s policy.

Palestinian groups have since called for more targeted action, with some urging protesters to act as early as Monday. One group of young Gazans dubbed the “tire units” called for demonstrators to gather along the Karni border crossing and encouraged incursions into Israeli territory as well as the cutting of the border fence.

A joint declaration issued by leaders of armed movements in the coastal enclave announced that they were involved in “ongoing consultations” about the next steps “following Israel’s crimes.”

In a special press conference addressing Friday’s deaths, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas condemned the incident as a violation of the understanding that had been reached with the Egyptian-brokered truce.

“We refuse for them to be called terrorists”, the President declared striking a conciliatory tone with its rival group, before calling them out for not committing fully to national reconciliation.

The IDF as it has done previously, defended its conduct and has said it responded with live fire “according to operational procedures.”

According to the army more than 8,000 came to this week’s March of Return protest where groups amassed at various flash points along the volatile Gaza-Israel border, with organizers claiming larger figures.

The demonstrations, in which protesters have demanded the lifting of Israel’s blockade on the Gaza Strip and the right to return to what they say are their ancestral homes in Israel, have often turned violent with Palestinians hurling rocks and explosive devices, attempting to infiltrate the border, and occasionally planting explosive devices or shooting towards Israeli forces.