Hamas and other Palestinian terror organizations have begun mobilizing the Palestinian public to participate in a series of ongoing events that will take place over the course of six weeks - starting on March 30 (known as “Land Day” marking events that took place in Israel over 40 years ago), and leading up to May 15 (the anniversary of Israel's establishment, which Palestinians refer to as the "Nakba", or disaster).

Hamas has called for thousands of Gaza residents, particularly women and children, to set up tent camps as close as they can to Israel's southern border. It is from these camps that the march towards the Israeli border fence will be launched.

Hamas is also seeking to extend the scope of the events beyond the Gaza Strip and to promote marches in Lebanon, Syria and Jordan. Hamas is also actively encouraging Israeli Arabs to join the campaign, thus forcing Israel's security forces to deal with multiple, simultaneous challenges on different fronts, including within its own borders.

Contrary to the many declarations that there will be no violence during the events, Isma’il Haniyeh, head of Hamas’ political bureau, hinted knowingly, in ways that his own people could clearly understand the intent, that they might, in fact, turn violent. In a sermon he gave on March 9, 2018, he stated that it would be impossible to control the tens of thousands who would march from the north, east and south [Gaza Strip] to protest the “siege” (Twitter accounts of Hamas’ department of political affairs and Palinfo, March 9, 2018). [1]

As a result, Israel finds itself on the eve of Passover preparing for an array of scenarios, including a violent, deliberate charge on its borders.

And while Israel hopes and aims to avoid violence it will take all necessary steps to prevent any violation of its sovereignty or any threat to its citizens.

In orchestrating this confrontation Hamas is seeking, amongst other things, to distract its own people, as well as the international community, from the colossal harm that continued Hamas rule in Gaza is causing the Palestinian people:

Contrary to Hamas deliberate misrepresentation of the issues, Israel has no territorial claims on Gaza. Israel left the Gaza Strip in 2005. There is no occupation of Gaza.

Nor is there any siege on Gaza, despite what many anti-Israel campaigners assert. Tons of essential goods enter Gaza from Israel on a daily basis, while Israel also continues to provide for electric power and water, in coordination with international parties, as well as the passage of people via Israel for medical treatment. Restrictions are only placed on materials used for the military build-up of Hamas and other terror groups. Israel would like the Gaza Strip to be a peaceful and prosperous neighbor.

It should be noted that the Palestinian leadership and Israel agreed in 1995 to resolve through negotiation, not by unilateral moves or violence, all permanent status issues such as the settlements, security arrangements and borders, as well as the refugee issue.

The Palestinian representatives, again and again, rejected serious efforts to reach peace agreements, including far-reaching Israeli proposals in the negotiations held in 2000 and in 2008. The Palestinian leaders left the negotiation table once again in 2014.

Gaza is facing a worrying humanitarian situation, brought on by the dismal failure of Hamas and the PA to provide for the welfare of Gaza's population. Instead of taking responsibility, Palestinian leaders are trying to manufacture renewed conflict and confrontation with Israel.

Update (Friday, 6 April 2018):
Since the morning hours, thousands of Palestinians have been rioting in five locations along the border with the Gaza Strip.

IDF troops are responding with riot dispersal means, and fire in accordance with the rules of engagement. The IDF will not allow any breach of the security infrastructure and fence, which protects Israeli civilians, and will act against those who are involved in these attacks.