Israel threatens to strike Hamas positions amid Gaza demos

Israel has threatened to strike Hamas which runs the Gaza Strip, if "March of Return" rallies near the fence separating the blockaded enclave and the occupied territories continue.
 The Israeli daily Haaretz quoted Israeli army sources as saying on Saturday that they would react forcefully if the alleged attempts to damage the fence continued.
 Israeli snipers have also been instructed to shoot Palestinians approaching the Gaza fence, according to the report. 
 Palestinians have marched to the fence as part of a six-week protest, dubbed “The Great March of Return,” demanding the right to return for those driven out of their homeland.
 
The peaceful demonstrations turned violent after Israeli forces used tear gas and live fire against the protesters.
 Gaza was the scene of deadly clashes on Friday, prompting Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to call on the UN, the Arab League and the EU to take an immediate action against the Israeli violence.
 The Jerusalem Post reported that Saudi and Egyptian officials had opened contacts with Hamas leaders to call for an end to the weekly protests in Gaza.
 An Egyptian Foreign Ministry official was quoted as saying that Cairo would ensure the regular opening of the Rafah border crossing in exchange for a halt to the Gaza demonstrations.