Palestinian terrorists operating out of the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip over the weekend launched a number of balloon-borne bombs into southern Israel.

Such attacks had waned in recent weeks, but on Thursday afternoon a number of brush fires were started in fields across southern Israel as balloons carrying grenades, mortar shells and other incendiary devices floated across the Gaza border.

These fires have over the past couple years devastated agricultural fields and nature reserves in the south of Israel. This past weekend’s fires were fortunately brought under control quickly and without causing any extensive damage. Israel nevertheless responded with airstrikes on facilities belonging to Hamas, which it holds accountable for any acts of violence emanating from Gaza.

The series of photos above shows a group of Palestinians militants in the southern Gaza town of Rafah on Saturday preparing their rudimentary, yet effective weapons.