Israel and Hamas have taken the first steps to restore calm after four Gaza residents, including three teenagers, were killed during weekend protests marking a year since the start of weekly border demonstrations. Prior to the protests, mosque loudspeakers had also warned that anyone killed in Saturday’s border clashes would not be considered shahid martyrs. Hamas officials confirmed that Israel is offering a package of economic incentives to ease the economic blockade in exchange for calm along the volatile border. “I have ordered that the Israel Defence Forces remain fully deployed around the Gaza Strip. But the problem of Gaza remains and residents of southern Israel have become accustomed to sleeping in bomb shelters amidst endless bouts of cross-border tension.

Source: The Irish Times March 31, 2019 14:26 UTC