2 Israelis injured in rocket attack on western Negev
Mortar fired at Sha'ar Hanegev Regional Council results in two people sustaining injuries; troops patrolling northern Gaza clash with Hamas gunmen
Two Israelis were injured Monday after a mortar shell fired from northern Gaza hit the Sha'ar Hanegev Regional Council. The injured were rushed to local hospitals.
Monday evening also saw heavy gunfire erupt in northern Gaza, as IDF troops operating in the Strip clashed with Hamas gunmen.
The IDF is said to be using heavy artillery in the exchange; and several Palestinian gunmen have reportedly been injured.
Strikes in Gaza (Photo: AFP)
Palestinian sources in Gaza reported the IDF bombed a government compound in the center of Gaza City.
Head of the Palestinian Emergency services in Gaza said that 50 Palestinians were killed in Monday's fighting. The fatalities since the operation began, he added, number at 555; with over 2,700 casualties.
The Israel Air Force struck dozens of tunnels along the Philadelphi Route on Monday, as well as some 40 Hamas targets in the strip.
As part of the operations in Gaza, IDF forces apprehended dozens of gunmen and terror suspects, the majority of whom were taken in for questioning in Israel.
The IDF intends on arresting as many gunmen as possible, in order to achieve two main goals: Obtaining real-time intelligence pertinent both the current operation and future military needs; and Holding gunmen as prisoners of war to that they may be used as bargaining chips in any future negotiation with Hamas.
Ali Waked contributed to this report
