Hamas terrorists hurt in 'work accident'

Two Hamas members were wounded when an explosive device they were carrying accidentally blew up before they could plant it near the evacuated Gaza Strip settlement of Kfar Darom, Palestinian officials said Friday.

The terrorists apparently wanted to target IDF troops still guarding the emptied settlement to bolster Hamas claims of having driven Israel from Gaza.

The wounded were taken to hospital for medical assistance, however the extent of their injuries are still unknown.

While Kfar Darom was evacuated on Thursday, security forces have remained in the area to prevent infiltrators from returning to the settlement and to stop Palestinians from looting belongings left behind by evacuees.

The IDF is currently examining Palestinian reports that the explosion was caused by a "work accident" after terrorists planned to carryout an attack.

Fear of terror attacks

In light of concern for possible terror attacks during Israel's withdrawal from the Gaza Strip, IDF troops dug deep trenches along Eastern Gush Katif Friday, in a bid to prevent Palestinians from entering the evacuated settlements before security forces have completed the pullout, including destroying the settlers' homes.

A major terror attack was thwarted on Wednesday evening when security forces found an explosive belt weighing eight kilograms near Gush Katif.

According to the IDF, an Islamic Jihad cell hid the explosives, which were supposed to be picked up by suicide bombers and used during disengagement to carry out a suicide attack in Gush Katif.

The military’s Gaza division and Shin Bet located the belt, which was packed with shrapnel, on a roof in the Mouasi area in the Gaza Strip.

The discovery was made following the arrest of ten Palestinians in the area, who are suspected of belonging to the terror cell behind the attempted bombing.