After more than six months of incendiary terror attacks via balloon and kite bombs that are being sent from Gaza to start forest fires in Israel, more than half of the Kisufim and Be’eri nature reserves and forests have been completely destroyed.

The report came as part of Keren Kayemet L’Yisrael agricultural damage report, which they issued recently covering the span of the past half year during which a continuous stream of balloon and kite bombs, have been launched by Hamas terrorists with the intent of destroying Israeli forests, agriculture and land.

More than 1,100 fires have been caused by the devices according to the report. A total of 12,000 dunams of agricultural land and nature reserves have been destroyed. The total area of the two nature reserves is 21,000 dunam, which means more than half has been destroyed.

The Regional Director for KK”L in the Gaza periphery Daniel Gigi said: “In spite of the wave of attacks that still occur even today, we still manage to put out most of the fires quickly. That is in thanks to the hard work of the Fire Department, the National Parks Ministry, volunteers from the local towns and the IDF, who have all taken part in putting out the fires. Over the past year, all of these organizations have unified, and together we have created a working model that aids us in catching the fires while they are still small enough to put out very quickly.”

Most of the trees that have been burnt in the fires were planted by KK”L members throughout the years of the organization’s history. some of the trees have been planted by the very people who are putting out the fires. “There is no worse feeling than seeing something you have created and worked hard for go up in flames,” Gigi added. “The damage is direct to the plants and animals who call this area home. The residents of the area are also adversely affected, with many of them suffering from illnesses related to air pollution. Other damages include the destruction of tourist areas and the lessening of visitors, destroyed buildings, and even creating a threat of death for the residents themselves. In spite of that, we are not giving up. Rather, we are joining together with the residents of the area and working to put out the fires and to redouble our efforts in planting new trees throughout the region.”

PHOTOS: Incendiary Balloon Found Near Rosh Tzurim In Gush Etzion & Beersheva

In the accompanying photos, one can see incendiary balloon bombs, with one near Kibbutz Rosh Tzurim in the Gush Etzion area and the second far away, in Beersheva.

Attacks from Gaza using these balloons and incendiary kites are becoming increasingly frequent, and they are being used elsewhere too, as seen in the Rosh Tzurim area photo.

Israel continues issuing warnings to Hamas, that if the escalation continues, the price to be paid will be significant and painful. Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman on Tuesday, 7 Marcheshvan, announced the time has come to deliver a “heavy blow” to Hamas.

In addition, a rocket launched from Gaza during the predawn hours Wednesday made a direct hit on a home in Beersheva. B’chasdei Hashem, there were no fatalities or injuries. IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-General Gadi Eizenkott cut his New York trip short and canceled a number of meetings, returning home in light of the escalation in Hamas warfare.

(YWN Israel Desk, Jerusalem)