Israel army urges forces at Gaza fence to show 'restraint' during Eurovision

The Israeli military has instructed its forces stationed by the occupied Gaza Strip to act with greater “restraint” for the duration of the Eurovision Song Contest in Tel Aviv, reported Haaretz.

According to the paper, the army “instructed its commanders to use their better judgement, and every response to fire – with the exception of mortal danger – requires the approval of senior officers in the Southern Command.”

One Israeli news site reported the instructions as a tightening of the open fire regulations.

The Haaretz report also noted that “the military understands that the last round of fighting began after the Israeli Air Force struck a Hamas post”, killing Al-Qassam Brigades members, “an incident that Hamas could not overlook”, stated Haaretz.

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“To avoid a similar escalation, the military must exercise restraint,” the report added.

Meanwhile, the Israeli military has “extensively deployed Iron Dome aerial defence batteries throughout Israel in advance of the Eurovision Song Contest, which begins this week in Tel Aviv”.

“Air defence reservists, who were called up after last week’s round of violence, will remain in their military service until the end of the competition,” the paper added.