Two mortar shells and two rockets were fired into southern Israel from the Gaza Strip in the early hours of Wednesday morning in what would appear to be Hamas's attempts to fulfill threats made by the group on Tuesday promising a wave of violence meant to derail Israeli-Palestinian peace talks.
Two mortar shells were fired from the Gaza Strip into the Eshkol Regional Council area in southern Israel on Wednesday morning. No injuries or damage were reported in the
attack.
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Two rockets were fired from Gaza several hours before the mortar attacks. A Kassam-type rocket exploded south of Ashkelon, causing no injuries or damage. Israeli security forces were searching for the location of the second rocket.
On Tuesday, one Palestinian was killed and at
least four were wounded after the IDF returned fire in response to a
terrorist attack in the northern Gaza Strip.
The IDF said that a
force operating near the fence came under anti-tank fire and responded
with tank shells and light gunfire. One of the terrorists was killed and
four others were wounded.
Ahmed
Jaabari, leader of Hamas’ military wing, issued a rare statement
threatening a wave of violence intended to derail the ongoing
Israeli-Palestinian peace talks on Tuesday.
On Sunday, three
Palestinians were killed after one of them picked up an RPG found in a
field near the security fence and aimed it at nearby IDF troops. Two of
those killed – a 91-yearold man and his grandson – were later identified
by the IDF as innocent civilians who were not involved in terrorist
activity.
Rocket attacks from Gaza have increased since before
the Rosh Hashana holiday. Predictions in the defense establishment are
that Hamas will continue to carry out attacks against Israel as the
peace talks progress.
Commander of the Gaza Division Brig.-Gen.
Eyal Eisenberg said that the IDF held Hamas responsible.
“The
Gaza Strip is controlled by Hamas, which is a terrorist organization,”
he said. “Hamas is in control of the territory and we hold it
responsible for what happens in the Strip.”
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