Hamas operative killed in IAF strike in Rafah
Palestinians report of strike in southern Gaza Strip killing one, wounding three. IDF confirms, says target was Hamas operative involved in abduction of Gilad Shalit, attack on Kerem Shalom
Palestinian sources in the Gaza Strip reported Thursday that Nafez Mansur, 40, a senior operative of Hamas' military wing, was killed in an IAF strike on the southern Gaza Strip town of Rafah.
The strike, which targeted Hamas' Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades' operatives, was carried out near the Shabura refugee camp in Rafah.
The IDF confirmed the strike, saying that Mansur was believed to have been involved in the abduction of Gilad Shalit in June of 2006, as well as in the failed infiltration attempt in Kerem Shalom, just before Passover. The strike was a joint IDF-Shin Bet operation.
Three other people were reportedly wounded in the strike, one of them reportedly suffered mortal wounds. Another bystander and a young girl were hurt as well.
According to Palestinian reports, Palestinian gunmen and IDF forces have been clashing since the early hours of Thursday morning near southern Gaza Strip town of Khan Younis.
According to reports, the gunmen shelled the troops, which they claimed had taken over several houses, a few of which were demolished. The Palestinians further claimed that IDF forces in the area were using heavy machinery in order to clear the terrain.
The Salah al-Din Brigades, the Popular Resistance Committees' military wing, claimed to have fired on the troops.
An Islamic Jihad operative was killed and four additional Palestinians were wounded early Wednesday evening in an IDF strike against a workshop in Rafah.
Palestinian sources identified the man as Awad al-Qiq, a member of the al-Quds Brigades, who was a part of its rocket manufacturing cell.
Hanan Greenberg contributed to this report
