Hamas' Wave of Environmental Terrorism

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In August, terrorists in Gaza launched rockets and hundreds of explosive balloons into Israel. These balloons ignited fires on thousands of acres of Israeli land, terrorizing civilians.

What Are Incendiary Balloon Attacks From Gaza?

Since the Gaza border events of 2018, terrorists in Gaza have launched balloons with incendiary and improvised explosive devices (IEDs) attached to them. This has become such a pervasive method of terror, that Hamas and other terrorist organizations within the Gaza Strip have established units within their organizations to manage manufacturing and launching these incendiary devices. For example, the Hamas-affiliated Sons of Al-Zawari unit is dedicated to terrorizing Israeli civilians with IEDs attached to balloons.

In addition, “night confusion units” were created to erode the security of the Israel-Gaza fence, threatening nearby civilians. “Night confusion units” hurl explosives, launch firecrackers, blind soldiers with laser pointers, and burn tires to create a dangerous environment for civilians.

The Damage Caused by Explosive Balloons

The ecological and economic impact that these fires cause can be irreparable. Terrorist organizations in the Gaza Strip have carried out some of the largest acts of environmental terrorism in the world. During August 2020, fires sparked by balloons destroyed thousands of acres of natural forests and farmland in southern Israel, killing massive amounts of wildlife. Local farmers' crops, farming equipment, and livelihoods were damaged.

In addition to the physical damage, these attacks cause long-lasting psychological damage to the people who live in these communities, especially children. Terror organizations often deliberately create explosive balloons that will target children. For example, on August 17, 2020, an incendiary device attached to a terror balloon started a fire near an Israeli kindergarten in Sderot. Thanks to the speed and coordination of nearby firefighters, no one was hurt. However the impact, both physical and psychological, was drastic. 

Other Terror Threats From Gaza

The threats that Israeli civilians face from terror organizations in Gaza do not start or stop with the arson-balloon attacks. Other means of terror that are frequently deployed by Hamas and other terrorists in Gaza include rockets, violent border riots, molotov cocktails, border infiltrations, stabbings, terror tunnels, kidnappings, suicide bombings, and more. For example, on August 21, 2020, Hamas fired 12 rockets from Gaza into Israel overnight, targeting Israeli homes. Of these rockets, nine were intercepted by the Iron Dome.

How the IDF Responds to Balloon Terror

In response to the violent and persistent terror attacks from Gaza, the IDF has used technology ranging from laser interceptors to drones to stop Hamas' environmental terrorism. Additionally, during August 2020, the IDF struck approximately 100 military targets belonging to Hamas. These included weapons manufacturing centers, military compounds, observation posts, underground infrastructures, naval targets, and aerial platforms used to launch rockets, drones, and explosive and incendiary balloons. 

The IDF will continue to defend Israeli civilians from all enemy threats in Gaza.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What are incendiary balloons from Gaza?
A: These are balloons carrying incendiary or explosive devices launched from Gaza into Israel to ignite fires and threaten civilians.

Q: When did balloon attacks become widespread?
A: The attacks became widespread during and after the Gaza border events of 2018.

Q: What damage did the balloon attacks cause?
A: Fires destroyed thousands of acres of forests and farmland, damaged agricultural equipment, and harmed wildlife and local communities.

Q: What are “night confusion units”?
A: These are groups that operate near the Gaza border using explosives, firecrackers, lasers, and burning tires to create dangerous conditions near the security fence.

Q: How did the IDF respond to the attacks?
A: The IDF used technologies, including drones and laser interceptors, and struck approximately 100 Hamas military targets during August 2020.