IAF attacks Rafah smuggling tunnel

Strike a response to Kassams fired earlier; humanitarian aid to continue flowing into Gaza.

By JPOST.COM STAFF
kassam rockets islamic jihad 248 88 (photo credit: AP [file])
kassam rockets islamic jihad 248 88
(photo credit: AP [file])
The Israeli Air Force on Monday afternoon bombed a smuggling tunnel located under the Philadelphi Corridor, on the border between the Gaza Strip and Egypt. The IDF said the aircraft identified a hit on the tunnel. Palestinian sources said the site was east of the Rafah border crossing. According to a Palestinian report, the attack was the first in the said area since the conclusion of Operation Cast Lead. The military said the strike came in response to Kassam rockets fired on Israel on Monday morning. Meanwhile, more than 200 trucks carrying humanitarian aid were expected to cross into Gaza on Monday, 130 of which would enter through the Kerem Shalom border crossing in the southern part of the Strip near the area attacked by the IAF on Monday afternoon. Trucks carrying gasoline and diesel fuel were also expected to enter the Strip. The defense establishment decided to allow the trucks despite the continuing rocket fire from Gaza. Early Monday morning, Gaza terrorists fired two Kassam rockets at the western Negev. Both rockets landed in open areas, one in the Sha'ar Hanegev region and the other in the Sdot Negev area. No casualties were caused in the attack, though a cactus field in a Sdot Negev kibbutz was damaged. On Sunday night, a Kassam rocket from Gaza landed in an open area in between the Sha'ar Hanegev and Sdot Negev regions, causing no casualties or damage.