Sources: 3 Palestinians killed in Gaza blast
Palestinians in north Gaza say three members of same family killed after IDF shell dud brought by teens into their Beit Lahiya home explodes for unknown reason; earlier Palestinian farmer killed by IDF artillery fire
According to reports, two teens found an IDF shell outside their Beit Lahiya home and proceeded to carry it into the house. For some unknown reason the dud exploded, killing the teens and another family member; seven other people were injured in the explosion.
The sources said the shell was fired by army forces earlier in the day but failed to detonate on impact.
The IDF said Friday's artillery fire toward Qassam rocket launching pads in north Gaza ceased at 6 p.m., adding that the fire is not directed at civilian homes.
Earlier it was reported that an IDF tank shell struck the house, but sources confirmed that the blast had gone off inside the house.
Artillery fire kills Palestinian farmer
Later it was reported that a Palestinian was killed from IDF fire near the Kissufim crossing in Gaza, but
Palestinian security sources said the report was false, claiming a search of the area for a body came up empty.In another incident, an Israeli resident of Mitzpe Netufa sustained light injuries after being stabbed in the neck by a Palestinian near Sha'ar Binyamin, north of Jerusalem. An initial investigation revealed that the Israeli was assisting the Palestinian, whose car broke down on Highway 60; the Palestinian asked the man for water, and when the Israeli returned with a bottle he lunged at him.
Magen David Adom paramedics and police were dispatched to the scene. The Israeli was evacuated to Hadassah Har Hatzofim hospital in Jerusalem for further treatment, and security forces scoured the area for the assailant.
Also on Friday, Palestinians fired a Qassam rocket at Israel's western Negev region. The rocket landed in an open field, causing some damage to a nearby orchard. No injuries were reported in the incident.
The IDF responded with artillery fire toward north Gaza, during which a 54-year-old Palestinian farmer was killed.
The IDF confirmed that it had fired at the launching sites from which terror groups are operating.
Another two Qassam rockets were fired from the northern Gaza Strip toward the western Negev Friday night. One of the rockets landed near the Sderot cemetery, while the other fell in an open area close to the town.
Efrat Weiss and Hanan Greenberg contributed to the report
