IDF soldier killed in Beit Hanoun
Staff Sgt. Kerell Golenshin dies of wounds received in clashes with Gaza gunmen in operation targeting rocket launchers. Palestinian PM Haniyeh: This is fruit of Lieberman's addition to government. Meanwhile, four Qassams launched at Israel
Cleared for publication: Staff Sgt. Kerell Golenshin, 21, of Moshav Shekef was killed overnight Wednesday during IDF operations in Beit Hanoun in northern Gaza.
He was wounded by gunshots fired by Palestinian gunmen and was evacuated for medical treatment, but died shortly afterwards. Later, IDF forces once again identified the group of gunmen and opened fire, hitting at least two.
The soldier, who was shot at approximately 2:30 a.m. as forces were entering Palestinian territory, was the IDF's only casualty in the operation.
Golenshin is the third IDF fatality in Gaza since the Kerem Shalom attack in which Gilad Shalit was kidnapped and two of his comrades killed.
Northern Gaza (Photo: Amir Cohen)
The Israeli Air Force attacked the northern Gaza Strip, near Beit Hanoun, early Wednesday. IDF officials reported that at least six Palestinian gunmen were killed and about 20 others were wounded. During the operation, a number of antitank missiles were shot at IDF soldiers.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas called the operation "a massacre", while Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh declared: "This is the fruit of (Israel Our Home Chairman Avigdor) Lieberman's addition to the government."
Limited operation
Defense Minister Amir Peretz said that the current operation is aimed at "significantly reducing" the Qassam rocket launches from the Strip.
However, while forces were in Gaza, four Qassams were shot at western Negev towns, one of them hitting an industrial area in Sderot, consequently causing a fire that injured two people. One other woman was also injured as a result of the attacks.
Peretz stressed the limited nature of the operation and the emphasis on "not being dragged after the terrorist cells." Wednesday afternoon, he received the security cabinet's approval to continue operations of this nature, while undergoing preparations for more extensive operations if the need arises.
Avigdor Lieberman, in his debut as Strategic Affairs Minister, suggested operating in Gaza "the way that Russia operates in Chechnya."
Operations in Beit Hanoun are combined operations with air and ground forces, comprised of infantry, armored corps and engineer corps forces.
Beit Hanoun, home to some 28 thousand residents, is considered the source of Qassams towards Sderot. In the past year, some 300 such rockets have been launched from the area.
