IDF soldier killed in Gaza clash

VIDEO - An IDF soldier was killed and two others were lightly injured Tuesday night during an Israeli raid in the southern Gaza Strip, near the Kissufim crossing. The killed soldier was identified as Staff Sergeant Sayef Bisan, 21, of the Druze village of Jat in the western Galilee. His family was informed of his death. The wounded troops were evacuated to the Soroka Medical Center in Beersheba. Video courtesy of Infolive.tv During the operation, the troops encountered a group of gunmen who opened fire at them, killing one soldier and injuring two others. In response, the IDF fired at the Palestinians from the air, hitting two gunmen. Palestinians reported that a Hamas gunman was killed and four were injured. During the night raid, the soldiers operated in a constructed area. Some 10 Palestinians were arrested and taken in for questioning by security forces. The limited operation ended early Wednesday. The soldiers returned to the Israeli side, but the Palestinians continued to fire mortar shells and RPG shells at the forces operating in the area. IDF soldiers near Gaza border (Photo: Tsafrir Abayov) The IDF activity in the area is aimed at locating weapons and terror infrastructures. The area where the soldiers operated Tuesday night has seen a large number of shooting incidents recently, including sniper fire directed at agricultural fields in Kibbutz Ein Hashlosha. 'Sayef loved his country' Hundreds of people have been pouring to Bisan's parents' house in Jat to console the family ever since word of his death became known Wednesday morning. Friends and relatives described Sayef as a young man who was planning a military career and who loved the State and the army almost as much as he loved his family. His uncle, Karim, said that Sayef grew up in a Zionist home and was brought up to love his homeland. He added that the family was proud that their son gave his life for the country. "This is how we raise our children – to contribute to this country which we are part of." Sayef is survived by his parents, Ramzi and Nahil, and four brothers and sisters. His funeral will be held in the village of Jat at 6 pm Wednesday. Operating 'day and night' Meanwhile, the IDF continues its daily activities along the border fence, but has refrained so far from launching a wide-scale operation in Gaza. IDF Chief of Staff Gabi Ashkenazi stated last week that "the IDF is constantly operating in the Gaza Strip, day and night, and should the political echelon decide on a wide-scale operation – the IDF will execute it." The Egoz unit, which lost one of its fighters Tuesday night, has continued operating in Gaza over the past few months, even after the Golani Brigade left the Strip. The unit's soldiers carry out different activities inside the Strip, some of which are not reported. The unit lost four of its fighters in a battle with Hizbullah during the Second Lebanon War. About a month ago, the unit's soldiers took part in an operation in the central Gaza Strip, which left a top Islamic Jihad commander dead. Ali Waked, Ahiya Raved and Yonat Atlas contributed to this report

IDF soldier killed in Gaza clash

(Video) Palestinians open fire at Israeli force operating near Kissufim crossing in southern Strip; soldier killes, two troops lightly injured. IDF fires back from air, killing Hamas gunman