IDF prepares for Gaza riots as Fatah seen steering anti-Hamas protests toward Israeli forces

Military officials noted that, unlike that period, there is no border fence separating Israeli forces from the area.

By Vered Weiss, World Israel News

The Israel Defense Forces is reinforcing troops along the Yellow Line in the Gaza Strip ahead of expected demonstrations Friday, as military officials assess that Hamas could attempt to redirect anti-Hamas protests toward Israeli positions.

The heightened alert follows a social media campaign linked to Fatah calling for demonstrations against Hamas on June 26.

The campaign has gained traction on Arabic-language social media in recent weeks, prompting the IDF Southern Command to prepare for the possibility of violent unrest spreading toward areas where Israeli forces are deployed.

Palestinian spokespeople said the planned protests are driven by worsening living conditions in the Gaza Strip and frustration over delays in advancing the agreement’s second phase, which includes rebuilding homes and infrastructure and ending the fighting.

They blamed the Hamas leadership for the stalled process.

Military officials believe Hamas has identified the campaign, which they said is being promoted in part by Fatah activists from Judea and Samaria, and has responded through a two-pronged strategy.

The first has involved the execution of suspected collaborators, accompanied by public violence and abuse intended to discourage broader opposition to the group.

Officials said Hamas has also launched its own campaign urging residents to demonstrate against Israel and against U.S. representative to the peace government Nikolay Mladenov after mediation efforts between Hamas and the United States failed.

The IDF assesses that Hamas could attempt to shift demonstrations from central Gaza City toward the Yellow Line, echoing tactics previously employed between 2017 and 2019.

Military officials noted that, unlike that period, there is no border fence separating Israeli forces from the area.

Officials added that online discussion surrounding the campaign has been more extensive than during previous protest efforts, although the expected turnout remains unclear.

During the past month, several friction incidents have occurred along the Yellow Line, with IDF troops refraining from opening fire because of concerns that those approaching were civilians.

“The chain of events resembles what happened in 2017,” a Southern Command military official said. “Sinwar led the internal protests against Hamas toward the fence in order to wear down the IDF, accustom it to friction, and push the political leadership in Jerusalem toward an arrangement.”

The IDF said it is reinforcing forces in the area based on updated operational assessments while remaining authorized to neutralize direct threats crossing the boundary and avoid harming unarmed civilians.