Palestinian protesters fire incendiary balloons towards Israel days after a shaky ceasefire

The Israeli air force launched air strikes on the Gaza Strip early on Wednesday after protesters in the Palestinian territory sent incendiary balloons into southern Israel. This is the first flare-up between the two sides since a major conflict killed hundreds last month.

Palestinian protesters brought helium gas cylinders, inflated the balloons, attached small pieces of burning rugs to the bright balloons and sent them across the frontier. Israeli authorities said they put out at least seven fires on Tuesday.

The balloons were fired ahead of planned march by Jewish ultranationalists through east Jerusalem. Hamas has called on Palestinians, who consider the march to be a provocation to “resist” the parade.

The Gaza strikes were the first under the new coalition government headed by Naftali Bennett, who took over on Sunday after ousting longtime prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu.