IAF strikes militant cell in Gaza Strip; 1 killed
IAF strikes Gaza gunmen planning attack on Israeli towns, kills Global Jihad member. Medical officials say IDF shell hits girls' home in Bureij refugee camp; army says Palestinian gunmen opened fire on soldiers patrolling border fence
Israel Air Force attacked a militant cell in the northern Gaza Strip on Thursday near Karni Crossing. Apparently, cell planned on firing mortar shells or rockets at Israeli towns. Palestinian sources reported that one person was killed and others wounded in the strike. Their identity has yet to be determined.
The gunman killed, Fares Jaber, 26, from Gaza, was a member of the al-Quds Brigades, the military arm of Global Jihad, and later moved to the Popular Resistance Committees. He was active in the past in firing rockets into Israel, according to the IDF Spokesperson Unit. Another member of the militant organization was reported wounded in the attack. No additional details about their identity is yet available.
Ealier, medical officials in Gaza reported Thursday morning that two Palestinian girls, aged five and 13, were injured when an IDF tank shell struck their home on the outskirts of the Bureij refugee camp. Their condition is unknown at this point.
The Israeli army confirmed that there were exchanges of fire with armed Palestinians in the Hamas-ruled territory, but said it was unaware of any injuries or deaths.
Palestinian sources said the IDF shelling followed exchanges of fire between Israeli soldiers and Palestinian gunmen near the security fence separating Israel from Gaza.
The army said Palestinian gunmen fired upon an Israeli force patrolling the border near Kibbutz Alumim, adding that the soldiers returned fire.
Meanwhile, the Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades, Hamas' armed wing, said that one of its members was killed Thursday morning during a "special mission". It did not give any other details.
Earlier this week IDF aircraft attacked targets in south Gaza in response to rockets fired from Gaza towards the Negev region.
Hanan Greenberg contributed to the report
