Satellite image of the Sinai.

A senior Israel Defense Force officer said that the escalation of incidents on the Gaza-Israel border over the past week is likely a result of Egyptian efforts to weaken terror group Hamas, the Gaza Strip’s rulers, Israel’s Walla daily reported.

Israeli military officials surmise that that the deteriorating economic situation in Gaza, along with a chill setting in between Egypt and Hamas, has increased the deep sense of frustration and despair among Palestinians living in the area.

“The Egyptians have made “‹”‹a strategic decision to paralyze Hamas,” an IDF Southern Command officer said. “This tactic is what is causing the frustration [in Gaza].”

The senior Southern Command officer said that even though Hamas was able to provide assistance in most cases to the residents of Gaza during last week’s severe snow storm, intense pressure by the Egyptians has caused the ruling terrorist organization to sink into a severe financial crisis. “Hamas tried to pressure the Egyptians through the member states of the Arab League to open the border crossings, but Egypt held firm,” the officer said.

According to the report, the Southern Command officials believe that the convergence of Gazans near the Israeli border is indicative of a significant loosening of Hamas’s iron grip.

On Saturday, one day after a Gaza-Israel border skirmish left one Palestinian Arab dead, another incident near the same location occurred when IDF forces opened fire on Palestinians who were attempting to plant a bomb. As a result of this incident, one suspect was injured.