Residents protest against Hamas buildup on the Gaza border, Gilad Erdan faced backlash during speech
Activists demonstrated demanding an end to security threats and the prevention of Hamas's buildup. During his speech, Gilad Erdan was confronted by participants who accused him of using the event for political purposes.
Dozens of activists and residents of the Gaza envelope are protesting today, Tuesday, in Kerem Shalom demanding an end to the kite threat and to prevent the buildup of Hamas. The protesters are holding Israeli flags and signs that read "Stop the rehabilitation of Hamas" and "Caring for the security of the residents of the South."
Gilad Erdan began to speak at the event — and was confronted by the participants:
"You are using us! This is not a political event! If not, you would have no interest in coming here, you are only talking politics," they called out.
Amit Kaspi, a member of Kibbutz Kerem Shalom, said that October 7 could happen again:
"There is the kibbutz fence opposite the Gaza Strip fence. Hamas stood on our fence 50 meters from the kibbutz. On October 7, Hamas saw that it was good and stole across the border without any interference. Whoever thinks this cannot happen again is living in a fantasy. Even now, 500 Hamasniks can run towards the border and there is no one to stop them. In addition to all this, they want to bring us a neighborhood opposite Kerem Shalom of 'Green Rafah' — this is a new neighborhood of terrorists. It will not happen."
Dani Rahamim, a resident of Nahal Oz who came to the demonstration, said: "There is no chance we will accept that Hamas still controls Gaza — it will not happen."
