Israeli air strike targets Nahal Oz terrorists
Army says strike in Gaza hit two gunmen involved in Nahal Oz attack; another air strike wounds three, among them Islamic Jihad members. IDF official says fuel terminal to remain closed in next few days
The IDF has launched a series of aerial strikes on the Gaza Strip Wednesday in retaliation for the terror attack at the Nahal Oz fuel terminal earlier in the day, which left two Israelis killed.
The victims were identified as Oleg Lipson, 37-years old, and Lev Charniak, 53-years old; both from Beersheba.
In one of the strikes, launched at around 9 pm, an army aircraft struck two of the terrorists who were involved in the deadly shooting. According to IDF and Shin Bet officials, one of the gunmen hit was a member of the cell that carried out the attack, while the other drove the terrorists' getaway car.
Related articles:
- Israel to UN: Nahal Oz terror attack 'cynical'
- Nahal Oz residents shocked by attack
- Barak: Hamas will pay for Nahal Oz attack
IDF officials estimated that during the incident in Nahal Oz, which occurred shortly after 3 pm, four gunmen infiltrated the fuel terminal, hit the two Israelis and fled back into the Strip. According to the army, the terror cell set out to abduct soldiers in the area.
The terminal at Nahal Oz will remain closed Thursday morning and probably for the next few days, according to a senior IDF official.
Security forces examined the issue of the terminal's re-opening and decided that the response to the terror attack in Nahal Oz will not include the halting of fuel supplies to the Palestinians. However, during the next few days fuel trucks will not be arriving at the terminal, until security issues are dealt with.
Palestinian sources in the Strip further reported that three Palestinians were injured in another Israel Air Force strike, this time in Gaza's Sajaiya neighborhood. According to the sources, two of those hit were members of Islamic Jihad. A Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine operative, Abu Ali Mustafa, was also killed by IDF fire.
Dozens of mortars fired
Meanwhile, sources in Gaza reported that the body of a Palestinian was found near the security fence separating Israel from the Strip.
IDF officials confirmed that forces opened fire and hit a Palestinian suspected of launching mortars toward Israel.
Shortly after the shooting attack at Nahal Oz an aircraft struck and hit a vehicle carrying gunmen who, according to the Israeli army, were involved in the incident at the fuel terminal. The Palestinians, however, said that those killed were teenagers, adding that the Nahal Oz gunmen were still missing.
Also on Wednesday, Palestinians fired two Qassams and dozens of mortars toward Israeli communities in the western Negev region. The rockets landed in the Eshkol Regional Council area, but caused no injuriesor damage. One of the mortars, however, caused damage, particularly in Kibbutz Nir Am.
Hanan Greenberg contributed to the report
