In Pics: Israeli military beefs up security at Gaza border as violence escalates

Israeli troops massed at Gaza’s border on Thursday and Palestinian militants pounded Israel with rockets in intense hostilities that have caused international concern and touched off clashes between Jews and Arabs in Israel.(Image Credit: Reuters)

Israeli soldiers check artillery shells in an area near the border with Gaza, in southern Israel.

An Israeli mobile artillery unit fires near the border between Israel and the Gaza Strip.

Israeli soldiers carry boxes of pizza in a field in Israel near the border between Israel and the Gaza Strip.

Israeli soldiers fight fire, after Palestinians in Gaza sent incendiary balloons over the border, near Nir Am, southern Israel.

A part of a wheat field goes in flames after Palestinians in Gaza sent incendiary balloons over the border near Nir Am, southern Israel.

Israeli soldiers check artillery shells in a field in Israel near the border with Gaza, in southern Israel.

An Israeli mobile artillery unit fires near the border between Israel and the Gaza Strip.

Israeli soldiers walk in a field in Israel near the border between Israel and the Gaza Strip.

An Israeli soldier mourns during the funeral of her comrade, Omer Tabib, who was killed during cross-border fighting with Gaza.

Israeli soldiers fight fire, after Palestinians in Gaza sent incendiary balloons over the border, near Nir Am, southern Israel.