Southern Command chief escapes mortar attack
Palestinians fire three mortar shells at entourage of Brig.-Gen. Yoav Galant during western Negev tour with senior officials; one mortar lands 65 feet away from group, causing no injuries
Palestinians in northern Gaza fired three mortar shells at IDF Southern Command Chief Brig.-Gen. Yoav Galant while he was touring the western Negev area with other officials Sunday noon.
One of the mortars landed about 65 feet away from Galant and his entourage, which included head of the Eshkol Regional Council Haim Yalin, but caused no injuries.
When the attack began, the tour's participants rushed to hide in portable shelters placed at the site by the army ahead of the tour, and left the area immediately following the strike.
According to Yalin, "This tour has been pre-planned and was aimed at demonstrating what local farmers had to deal with on a daily basis. This barrage demonstrated very well what their life's routine looks like."
Over a week ago, Palestinian snipers opened fire at Internal Security Minister Avi Dichter's entourage while he was visiting the Nizmit hill near Kibbutz Nir Am in southern Israel. Dichter's assistant was injured in the shooting.
