Israeli army spokesperson, Avichay Adraee, claimed on Wednesday that the “Great Return March” launched by Hamas in commemoration of Land Day is “not in accordance with Islam”, by quoting Saudi scholars and selectively using Quran verses.

In a one minute video on his official Facebook account, Adraee referred to Saudi scholar Saleh Bin Fawzan Al-Fawzan who proclaimed demonstrations and marches were not part of Islamic history.

In his address, the spokesperson assumed the demonstrations would be “destructive” and problematized the involvement of women in the march by referring to Quran. He felt that Surah Al-Baqarah verse 195 which states “do not throw [yourselves] with your [own] hands into destruction,” was appropriate for the occasion.

He cautioned Hamas against “risking the lives of people in Gaza”, and attacked them by saying they would use human shields. Through a number of post on his social media Adraee threatened that the Israeli forces will shoot people if they get near the borders.

Hamas and Palestinian factions called earlier this week for the demonstration near Gaza Strip’s eastern border with Israel. According to member of Hamas’ Political Bureau, Salah al-Bardawil, the demonstrations would be peaceful.

Nevertheless, the Israeli army is planned to be on high alert in order to prevent Palestinian protesters from approaching the border fence, according to the Israeli newspaper Maariv.

The march is scheduled to start on Friday and continue for a six-week period in cities around the globe. It is expected to continue until 15, 2018, which marks the 70th anniversary of the Nakba, which will also be the day the US is expected to move its embassy to Jerusalem.

Bardawil also asserted in a statement to the Palestinian Information Center that Trump’s decision would not threaten or prevent the peaceful demonstration.