Palestinians say 6 killed as IDF stops Gaza attacks

IAF hits terror cell preparing to fire rockets into southern Israel; IDF strikes cell trying to place bomb at border fence.

By YAAKOV LAPPIN
Gaza terrorists launch rockets 370 (photo credit: IDF Spokesmans Office)
Gaza terrorists launch rockets 370
(photo credit: IDF Spokesmans Office)
The IDF thwarted two attempted attacks against Israel in a 12-hour period on Wednesday night and Thursday morning, killing six Palestinians in the process, according to Gaza medical sources.
IAF aircraft targeted a terrorist squad in the central Gaza Strip during final preparations to fire rockets at Israel on Wednesday night, the IDF Spokesman’s Office said.
The cell had been involved in rocket fire on southern Israel in the past, the IDF added.
“We identified an accurate strike,” the IDF Spokesman’s Office said.
Palestinian sources said at least three men were killed in the air strike, and one wounded.
They also said that the cell had been hit near the border.
The wounded were rushed to a local hospital via ambulances.
The air strikes came after several rockets were fired at Israel over the past week, one of which struck and damaged a home in Sderot early on Friday morning.
On Thursday morning, the IDF attacked a terrorist cell attempting to place a bomb on the Gaza border. Infantrymen from the Givati Brigade along with tanks and aircraft successfully struck the cell.
Palestinian sources said that three people were killed by IDF fire in the incident.
The IDF Spokesman’s Office stated that “the IDF will not tolerate any attempt to harm Israeli civilians, and will operate against anyone who uses terror against the State of Israel. The Hamas terror organization is solely responsible for any terrorist activity emanating from the Gaza Strip.”
Meanwhile, an Iron Dome anti-missile system battery has been installed in metropolitan Tel Aviv.
The system, which was installed on Thursday, is expected to remain in place for several days, as it calibrates itself to the area. Batteries have previously been installed at Sderot, Ashkelon and Ashdod.
JTA contributed to this report.