ISIS soldiers in convoy in confiscated trucks in Iraq. Photo: Twitter / nayelshafei.

In response to growing Palestinian criticism of its silence over Operation Protective Edge, Islamic State sources on Thursday asked Gazans to  be patient while they finished fighting in Iraq and Syria, Israel’s Ma’ariv reported.

In parallel, Saudia Arabia boosted its forces on its 850-km long border with Iraq, deploying thousands more troops, according to Ma’ariv.

Two years ago, the Saudis completed a $3.4 billion hi-tech security fence which includes cameras, radar, and electronic surveillance features, following calls by leaders in Riyadh  to implement “all possible measures” to protect their border.

The al-Aribiah network said some 30,000 troops and other forces are on guard along the border against potential attacks by Islamic State fighters.

Last week, elements within Iraq fired three missiles into Saudi Arabia, hitting a base housing Border Guard units.

Troops, however, were instructed to stand-down and not return fire, in order not to inflame the situation.