Israeli occupation on high alert ahead of Flag March

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The Israeli anti-missile systems are on high alert, as with the Israeli occupation deploying the Iron Dome in various areas as a precautionary measure in case rockets are launched toward occupied Palestine or any offensive is carried out in light of the Israeli Flag March, Israeli media reported on Wednesday.

The Israeli mobilization to confront any threat during the Flag March is in itself a success for the Palestinian Resistance, Israeli Channel 13 Arab affairs commentator Zvi Yehezkili said.

Meanwhile, Israeli Channel 14 military affairs correspondent Hilal Bitton Rosen asserted that in preparation for the Flag March, "the Israeli air defense system has been put on high alert with all its three layers," meaning the Iron Dome, David's Sling, and the Arrow missile family.

"There is high alert in various regions as a precautionary measure in light of the possibility of operations getting carried out in the West Bank," Israeli Channel 12 military commentator Nir Dvori said.

Israeli media reported Tuesday that the security and military establishment is on high alert in anticipation of the Flag March scheduled for Thursday.

The Israeli Walla! news website reported that sources in the security and military establishment warned against irresponsible statements that might incite violence in response: specifically referring to the customary speeches associating the Flag March with the Al-Aqsa Mosque Compound.

"Israel" will hold its usual Flag March on Thursday, ignoring #Palestinian calls and warnings regarding the provocative event. #Palestine pic.twitter.com/8ceAr7fQns

— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) May 17, 2023

The Israeli occupation will deploy over 3,200 police officers in occupied Al-Quds in preparations for the Flag March scheduled on Thursday, Israeli media reported.

Some reports indicated that the Israeli occupation forces has also deployed the Iron Dome system in occupied Al-Quds over fears of rocket launches by the Resistance in Gaza during the march.

The Israeli i24 News website reported that the occupation police announced their readiness amid calls for Palestinians in Al-Quds to raise Palestinian flags in response to the Israeli march.

In the event that the Palestinians of Al-Quds carried out their march, the occupation police will work to ensure that it does not go beyond Salah Al-Din Street facing the Damascus Gate, the report said, adding that "the [Israeli] march will not pass through the courtyards of Al-Aqsa despite the false publications and incitement attempts."

Hamas senior official Osama Hamdan warned the Israeli occupation against crossing the red lines in the Flag March in occupied Al-Quds, adding that "ending the [Gaza] confrontation before the flags march in Al-Quds does not mean that the confrontation cannot erupt again if Israel crosses the red lines."

Hamdan pointed out that "there is an Israeli attempt to create a media uproar about the march of flags in order to cover up the failure of its aggression on the Gaza Strip." 

"Israel's" provocative Flag March has been ongoing for years. It is a customary celebration of "Jerusalem Day" commemorating the complete occupation of Al-Quds back in 1967. A common feature of the march is the anti-Arab and anti-Muslim slogans chanted by the protesters.