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Gaza Arson Balloons Cause 20 Fires In One-Day Blitz

JERUSALEM (JTA) — At least 20 fires started by incendiary balloons sent from Gaza were burning in southern Israel on Thursday.

Some officials put the number of fires set from Thursday morning until late Thursday afternoon at 24, the largest number of fires started by the arson balloons in one day since the attacks became an almost daily occurrence last spring, the Times of Israel reported.

Most of the fires have burned agricultural fields, grasslands and woodlands.

Two of Thursday’s fires were ignited in the courtyards of residential homes, the Kan public broadcaster reported. There were no injuries reported. Two of the fires broke out in the Be’eri Forest, which has already been gutted by Gaza arson attacks.

Israel on Tuesday halted the transfer of fuel into Gaza following the rise balloon attacks.

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