IDF kills Gaza terrorist
IDF forces spot three Palestinians approaching Gaza security fence; one terrorist attempts to place bomb in area, shot to death; earlier, member of Abu al-Rish Brigades killed after his car explodes; IDF denies involvement
(VIDEO) IDF soldiers shot and killed a Palestinian terrorist who crawled in the direction of the northern Gaza Strip security fence and apparently attempted to place an explosive device in the area.
The incident was followed by exchanges of fire.
Three Palestinian groups claimed responsibility for the incident and said it was an attempted attack. A statement issued by the Salah al-Din Brigades, the al-Aqsa Brigades, and the Islamic Jihad’s military wing said the Palestinian was killed during an attempt to attack an Israeli outpost.
A short while later, two more incidents were reported in northern Gaza. In one case, a Palestinian who crawled towards the fence and started climbing it was shot. In the second incident, troops fired at a Palestinian who approached the fence. The man was hurt and taken to an Israeli hospital for treatment.
Car explodes
Khaled Abu-Sita, a senior member of the Abu al-Rish Brigades, an armed group with links to Fatah, was killed Saturday evening when his car exploded near the Sufa crossing in south Gaza.
Video: Reuters
Three others were injured in the blast.
Initially Palestinian sources reported that the explosion was the result of an Israel Air Force missile attack, but the reports have not been verified as of yet.
IDF sources said the Air Force did not operate in south Gaza and is not involved in the explosion. Shortly before the blast IDF forces identified a Qassam rocket launching in south Gaza and are looking into whether it was may be related to the car blast.
Later on Saturday IDF soldiers opened fire at a Palestinian as he was crawling toward the security fence in north Gaza with the apparent intent of placing a bomb. Sources in Gaza said the Palestinian was killed.
Three Palestinian groups claimed responsibility for the botched terror attack.
A statement released by the al-Aqsa Brigades, the Salah al-Din Brigades and Islamic Jihad’s military wing said the Palestinian was on his way to attack an IDF base.
Last Wednesday Khader Habib, a senior Islamic Jihad member in Gaza, survived an Israeli assassination attempt with light injuries after a missile was fired at his vehicle.
The attack came just a short while after the IAF fired at a vehicle traveling in Gaza City’s Sajaya neighborhood, killing four Popular Resistance Committees members and injuring at least four others.
Defense officials said following the attack that the vehicle was loaded with explosives and that the four passengers killed were on their way to carry out a large-scale terror attack at the Karni crossing.
The officials added that the car was also loaded with weaponry, which caused the large explosion.
Fatah's military wing, the al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades, said in response to the targeted killings that the group would take harsh action deep within Israeli territory. The group also said the calm would not be renewed and that Israelis "must wait for the next suicide bombings and prepare graves."
The Popular Resistance Committees responded by launching seven Qassam rockets from Gaza toward the Negev region. No Israelis were injured in the attacks.
Ali Waked contributed to the report
