IDF soldier injured, 2 terrorists killed in Gaza
IDF tank fire kills two Palestinians approaching security fence; soldier seriously wounded when shots fired at army force combing area inside Strip. Earlier, Qassam rocket fired from Gaza towards Negev; no injuries or damage reported
An IDF soldier sustained serious wounds and two Palestinian terrorists were killed during an incident near the Gaza border late Saturday evening.
The incident began shortly after 9 pm, when soldiers manning an IDF observation spotted to suspicious figures approaching the security fence. IDF tanks opened fire and killed the terrorists, who were apparently crawling.
Later, as soldiers were preparing to comb an area inside Palestinian territory, terrorists fired a number of rounds at them, apparently with assault rifles. One soldier was moderately wounded in the incident. He was airlifted to the Soroka Medical Center in Beersheba.
The IDF is checking whether the force was attacked by snipers or other terrorists in the area.
Palestinian sources in Gaza said that during the clash the IDF opened fire on Palestinian homes located east of the al-Bureij refugee camp in central Gaza.
The soldier was operated on overnight at the Soroka Medical Center in Beersheba and the doctors managed to stabilize his condition. He is now hospitalized at the intensive care unit in moderate but stable condition.
Earlier Saturday, a Qassam rocket was fired from the Strip towards the western Negev region. There were no reports of injury or damage. The "Color Red" alert system, which warns residents of incoming rockets, was activated.
The frequency of violent interactions in the vicinity of the security fence – installation of explosives and exchanges of fire – has risen recently. Only last week an IDF tank was hit by an antitank missile, though no one was injured. In another incident, IDF soldiers killed two gunmen.
Army officials estimate that the numerous attempts by Palestinians to come close to the fence in order to collect junk are, in fact, efforts to collect intelligence on the IDF, commissioned by terrorist organizations.
The number of mortar shells fired at Israel has also risen in recent weeks. IDF Chief of Staff Lieutenant-General Gabi Ashkenazi has admitted that the "situation is fragile" during a visit to a paratrooper base on the Gaza Strip border.
Even though Hamas is not directly involved in the incidents, army sources said that Hamas officials recognize attacks on IDF soldiers as legitimate – as opposed to firing rockets towards populated areas, which can destabilize the relative calm and draw a tough reaction from Israel.
Ali Waked and Ilana Curiel contributed to the report
- Follow Ynetnews on Facebook
