Gantz approves new targets for attack in Gaza

Israeli Defence Minister Benny Gantz last month approved a new bank of targets which Israel could attack in any future offensive on the besieged Gaza Strip, Israeli TV Channel 12 revealed yesterday.

According to Arab48, Israeli TV said that the bank of targets was updated in preparation for a possible outbreak of tension between Israel and the Palestinian resistance in the wake of the planned Flag March which is due to take place in Jerusalem tomorrow.

Israeli security officials, however, believe the Palestinian resistance will not fire rockets into Israel if the march goes ahead but will fly incendiary balloons, while attacks may be planned in the West Bank.

Chief of Israeli Police Jacob Shabtai cancelled the Flag March last week, but the ousted Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu approved it and decided that it would take place tomorrow – just days after Israel’s new government is sworn in.

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New Israeli Interior Minister Omer Barlev will review the issue and might cancel the march. If this happens, the reduced cabinet would convene to discuss the matter to either approve the cancellation or go ahead with the march.

The Flag March is a provocative event organised by Jewish settlers to mark the occupation of east Jerusalem. They pass through the streets of the Old City and come near Al Aqsa Mosque and they dance and sing to provoke Palestinians.

The Flag March sees far-right Israeli ultra-nationalists flooding through Muslim areas celebrating the capture of East Jerusalem by Zionist occupation forces following a second wave of ethnic cleansing in 1967. Chanting “death to Arabs” and singing racist and highly offensive songs, thousands are seen parading through Muslim areas flying the Israeli flag.