IDF troops operating on the Gaza Strip border on Wednesday came under fire at around 11:35 am from Islamic Jihad snipers along the Gaza border.
The troops identified the terror cell in the area of Khan Younis, and fired back “to remove the threat,” according to the IDF, which said the Israel Police elite Yamam counter terrorism unit was also on site at the time to return fire at the terrorists.
One terrorist was injured, according to Gaza sources; medical sources at the European hospital said the attacker was listed in fair condition. There were no Israeli casualties in the incident.
The presence of the Yamam and the location of the incident may indicate that the IDF had prior intelligence about a pending attack and had prepared to respond to it.
Tensions on the border with Gaza have been escalating in recent weeks following an increase in rocket fire from the Strip and the return of launches of balloon bombs into Israeli territory.
Deputy Minister of Defense Avi Dichter warned that Israel will “have to prepare for a long and heavy military campaign in Gaza” and that “Gaza will go through a similar process” to that which Judea and Samaria area went through during the IDF’s counterterrorism Operation Defensive Shield in 2002.
“Hamas and Jihad terror infrastructures will be destroyed, there is no other option,” he said, warning, “Israel cannot tolerate a terrorist entity that threatens its citizens and holds the ability to disrupt their lives.”