ISRAELI TROOP reinforcements have deployed along the country’s borders in an effort to prevent infiltrations tomorrow, when Palestinians mark Naksa day, the anniversary of the 1967 Arab-Israeli six- day war, when Israel captured the West Bank, Gaza and the Golan Heights.
Israel is determined to prevent a repeat of the events last month on Nakba day, the Arabic word for catastrophe, when Palestinians marked the anniversary of Israel’s founding with mass protest marches on Israel’s borders.
Thirteen people were killed when Israeli troops opened fire at different locations on the borders with Lebanon and Syria, and dozens of demonstrators managed to cross from Syria into the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights. The protesters, mostly Palestinian refugees and their descendants, demanded the “right of return” to their former homes in Israel.
Social network sites, including that of a group called the Third Palestinian Intifada (uprising), have called for similar protests, involving tens of thousands, to mark Naksa (setback) day tomorrow.
Israeli prime minister Binyamin Netanyahu said Israel would act with determination to prevent to any breach of its borders.
“Like any country in the world, Israel has the right and duty to guard and defend its borders. Therefore my instructions are clear: to act with restraint, but with the necessary decisiveness to protect our borders, our communities and our citizens.”
Troops were issued with riot dispersal equipment, such as tear gas, water cannons and rubber bullets, but were also under orders to use live fire on protesters who crossed the border.
Over recent weeks extensive renovation work was carried out on the border fence and new minefields were laid. The areas adjacent to the border were declared closed military zones.
A huge trench, surrounded by barbed wire, was built close to the Golan Heights Druze village of Majdal Shams, where most infiltrators crossed last month.
In the West Bank, Israeli forces co-ordinated closely with Palestinian security officials in an effort to ensure that Naksa day rallies do not turn into violent confrontations with Israeli settlers and troops.
Security has also been boosted along Israel’s border with Gaza, in Jerusalem and in Arab communities inside Israel.
Israel received a boost yesterday when Palestinian organisers in Lebanon cancelled tomorrow’s planned march on the Israeli border.
Lebanese media reported that the move followed US pressure on the Lebanese government.