Tunnel bombing (archives)
Photo: AFP
IAF strikes Gaza tunnel
IDF says tunnel in southern Strip used to smuggle terrorists into Israel. Direct hit identified; no injuries reported
The Israel Air Force struck a smuggling tunnel in the southern Gaza Strip Thursday night.
The IDF Spokesperson's Unit reported that, in joint activity with the Shin Bet, jets bombed a tunnel dug from within a building located about 1.5 kilometers (0.9 miles) from the border fence.
The tunnel was reportedly used to smuggle terrorists into Israel to carry out attacks against civilians or IDF soldiers. There were no Palestinian reports of injuries in the attack.
The IDF also reported that a precise hit of the target was identified and that all jets returned safely to their base. The military said the strike was in response to the mortar shells fired at Israel on Thursday.
Five mortar shells landed in open areas near the border fence Thursday evening, and two shells landed on the Palestinian side of the fence that same morning. There were no reports of injuries.
This is the second time this week the IDF strikes a tunnel in the Gaza Strip. On Saturday night, IAF jets bombed a tunnel located about 1.5 kilometers from the border fence in the northern Strip. There were no reports of injuries in the strike.
On Monday, the IDF opened fire on a Palestinian fishing vessel in Gaza, after a number of boats breached the borders. The IDF said after the boats failed to respond to warning shots, navy vessels opened fire at them.
One Palestinian was injured in the incident.
