An IDF soldier was killed near Kissufim by sniper fire from the Gaza Strip on Friday afternoon, leading for a retaliatory strike by the IDF that killed at least four Hamas fighters.
The IDF attacked terror targets across the Gaza Strip with both tank and aircraft fire. So far, 15 targets were bombed at the Hamas Zaytun battalion headquarters. The headquarters were destroyed, while arms depots, training facilities, observation posts, the battalion situation room, the battalion commander’s office and other infrastructures were hit.
At least four Palestinians from Hamas’s military wing, the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigade, were reportedly killed in the IDF retaliatory action. At least 120 Palestinians were reported wounded.
At around 8:30pm, a Code Red rocket alert siren was sounded in Shaar HaNegev Regional Council and Sdot Negev Regional Council. Three rockets were fired from the Gaza Strip, with two of them intercepted by the Iron Dome missile defense system and the third fell in open area.
Several explosive devices were thrown at IDF force from the Gaza Strip following the fire exchange. None of the soldiers were hurt.
An IDF official described the fire exchange as the gravest incident since the 2014 Operation Protective Edge, putting the blame squarely on Hamas.
“Hamas will be held accountable for this incident as well as the series of the terror activities it has been executing over the past months,” the IDF said in a statement. “Hamas has chosen to escalate the security situation and will bear the responsibility for its actions.”
In the wake of the incident, the political and security brass, headed by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman and IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Gadi Eisenkot, convened in the Kirya Headquarters in Tel Aviv for a situation assessment on Friday evening.
The IDF’s Home Front Command instructed Israelis living in communities near the Gaza border to remain within a 15 second distance from a bomb shelter or a safe room as well as to avoid mass gatherings. The army also closed the Zikim beach for the weekend as a precaution.
I’m Yisroel have no fare Moshaich will be here this year we want Moshaich now we don’t want to wait
That shouldn’t ever happen, our soliders should be safe! And they could be if we choose to become more strong handed!
That clip isn’t from TV. It’s from a reporter. Besides, what’s the difference anyway? And why are your kids even online and all? They shouldn’t be watching anything via the internet.
May you, yours, and Klal Yisroel be protected from all evil
Shabbat Shalom
Thank you for letting us know to say tehilim. Please refrain from posting clipa from TV. I will now have to block collive.com on my k9 filter – this is not what I want my children to see.
Thank you.
Moshiach NOW !