Soldier killed in Gaza

An IDF soldier was killed Thursday noon by terrorist fire in the Atatara area south of the Dugit settlement in northern Gaza.

Staff Sergeant Yehuda Bassel, 21, of Moshav Yinon, was killed during an exchange of fire in northern Gaza. Bassal sustained head injuries and died at the Soroka hospital in Beer Sheva.

The soldier was shot in the head by snipers and sustained critical wounds. The evacuation of the soldier to Israel for treatment was delayed for more than an hour due to heavy fire exchanges in the place and he received initial treatment on the scene.

Troops in Gaza (Photo: AP)

Some forty minutes later the soldier was evacuated outside the battle zone.

The Salah al-Din Brigades, the Popular Resistance Committees' military wing, claimed responsibility for the attack.

Abu Adir spokesman of the Resistance Committees told Ynet that the death of the soldier is "only the beginning."

"So long as Israeli soldiers go deeper into Palestinian territory, the number of casualties among them will grow. We are determined to end this campaign with the maximum number of killed and hostages on the Israeli side," he said.

The Karni crossing in northern Gaza was shut sown on Thursday after it was opened for several hours for the transfer of foodstuff into the Strip. The crossing was later closed due to alerts of plans to carry out a terror attack in the place.

Southern Command chief: WE won't reoccupy territory

Southern Command Chief Yoav Galant said that the purpose of the IDF operation in Gaza was not to capture the area, but rather to find a way to keep the terror and Qassam threats away from Israel.

"Our method of operation is to conduct raids, not to occupy territory. The operation is aimed at creating the proper conditions for Gilad Shalit's release. We consider this our goal and will act accordingly," he stated. The IDF's operation gained significant achievements and succeeded in harming some of the terror infrastructure in Gaza, Galant added.

Galant. 'Aim is to release hostage' (Photo: Tzafrir Abayov)

Gallant refused to say whether any information regarding Shalit's location has been received, and said that "It would be wrong to specify on information about the kidnapped soldier's fate."

Referring to the death of IDF soldier Yehuda Bassel earlier in the day, the commander said: "Unfortunately, a soldier was hurt during the operation. We are seeing effective action in the face of persistent fighting. We however manage to overcome them and have killed a large number of terrorists.

Asked how come the Palestinians still succeed in firing Qassam at Israel, Galant replied: "I can’t guarantee that their will no longer be rockets, but the Palestinians will realize it's better for them to halt the attacks."

Heavy fighting

Earlier in the day, two soldiers were injured in the same area by gunmen fire. The two were evacuate for treatment in hospitals in Israel. The ongoing fighting in the Strip since Wednesday night claimed the lives of 16 Palestinians, at least eight of then killed by a direct hit of an IDF artillery shell. Another 20 people were wounded in army strikes.

IDF forces reported of heavy fighting in the northern Strip and of numerous incidents in which terrorists tried to approach the soldiers and target them.

Army helicopters conducted several strikes in the sector during the day. In one of the incidents, a chopper fired at a Gunmen cell that opened fire at an IDF unit that was operating south of the Kissufim crossing in search for tunnels. The gunmen also fired seven Russian missiles at IDF vehicles.  

Ali Waked, Shmulik Hadad and Anat Bershkovsky contributed to the report