IDF patrol near security fence (Archives)
Photo: Zeev Trachtman
Hamas says fought off IDF force with mortars
Islamist group's armed wing claims responsibility for mortar barrage on Israel, says shells blocked army force trying to infiltrate Gaza
The Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades, Hamas' armed wing, claimed responsibility for a mortar barrage on Israel Wednesday morning, in which five shells fired from north Gaza exploded near the security fence in the Sha'ar Hanegev Regional Council area. There were no reports of injury or damage.
According to the Brigades, the mortars were aimed at an IDF force that attempted to infiltrate Palestinian territory in east Gaza; Hamas' armed wing said in a statement that the soldiers were forced to retreat. The Israeli army has yet to respond to the claims.
Attack and Response
Hanan Greenberg
Senior military officials tell Ynet army is 'sending a message' that all rocket fire will be met with a response; Negev leaders say response fire does not lead to ceasefire
Israel's southern region has enjoyed a period of relative calm following the IDF's offensive in Gaza due to Hamas' efforts to prevent the launching of rocket attacks from the coastal enclave.
Hamas politburo chief Khaled Mashaal told the New York Times in an interview published Monday that his organization has stopped firing rockets at Israel "for now".
However, he did not provide a clear explanation for the reasons for the truce, apart from saying that it "serves the Palestinians' interest."
"After all, the firing is a method, not a goal," he said. "Resistance is a legitimate right, but practicing such a right comes under an evaluation by the movement’s leaders.”
The Israeli Air Force struck five tunnels used to smuggle arms into Gaza over the weekend in response to the firing of a single Qassam rocket from the Hamas-ruled territory.
An army official says the strikes were aimed at "sending terror groups a clear message that Israel will respond to any attack on its territory."
Shmulik Hadad contributed to this report
