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.

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During a ceremony to inaugurate Eliezer Toledano as head of the IDF’s Southern Command, outgoing commander Herzi Halevi referenced the “Southern Spirit” plan to confront “terrorist armies.”

By Ebin Sandler, World Israel News

On Sunday, Maj. Gen. Eliezer Toledano took the reins of the IDF’s Southern Command, replacing Maj. Gen. Herzi Halevi, who completed approximately three years in the post.

Halevi is transitioning into his new position as Deputy Chief of the General Staff.

The IDF held the handover ceremony at the Southern Command Headquarters in Be’er Sheva, which was presided over by IDF Chief of the General Staff, Lt. Gen. Aviv Kochavi. Members of the General Staff, the heads of local authorities and the Halevi and Toledano families were also present at the ceremony.

In his comments at the event, Kochavi referenced the impending International Criminal Court (ICC) probe of alleged “war crimes” committed by Israel, charges the IDF vehemently denies based on exhaustive investigations of the military’s conduct in the Gaza periphery and beyond.

“Until a year ago, nearly every day the Southern Command faced a wide range of threats and challenges posed by the terrorist armies in Gaza,” said Kochavi. “The pace and scale of such incidents has since subsided considerably. This did not occur on its own, rather, thanks to a combination of military force and the implementation of civilian policy. IDF soldiers and their commanders, past and present, I support your action, and stand with you in the face of any accusations.”

Kochavi added, “The values of the IDF and international law were not only intended to prevent harm to noncombatants on the other side, they were equally intended to enable us to protect our citizens.”

Halevi spoke after Kochavi, citng “a new, updated ‘Southern Spirit’ plan” to confront “terrorist armies” operating on the edges of the Gaza envelope.

Halevi concluded, “We are proud of [our] achievements and are committed to the development of the Gaza Strip envelope, a safe and prosperous south with proper governance in all civilian areas.”

Incoming commander Toledano also addressed the ceremony, stating, “I am responsible for border protection, for winning the war and for providing security and a sense of security to the citizens of Israel in the Negev and the Arava. We will do it together, with solid spirits, broad shoulders, straight backs and devotion in our eyes.”

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