IDF strikes Hamas unit in Gaza

IDF strikes Hamas unit in Gaza after explosives triggered near Israeli forces

YONAH JEREMY BOB

The IDF on Wednesday afternoon fired on a Hamas unit engaging in potentially dangerous explosives-setting activities near the Gaza Strip border.

The IDF said it had detected Hamas units activating a previously planted explosive device near an IDF bulldozer passing near Kibbutz Kissufim that was trying to clear parts of the Gaza border. IDF tank units responded by shelling the position of the attackers in Khan Yunis.

There were no signs that the IDF had responded to firing from Gazaearlier Wednesday, when a rocket landed just inside the Israeli border. Israel anticipated rocket fire from Gaza after the IDF killed several terrorists in Jenin on Tuesday, including the killer on February 26 of Israeli brothers Hallel Menachem Yaniv and Yagel Ya’acov Yaniv, who were shot dead last Tuesday.

Israel anticipated revenge rockets after IDF raid in Jenin

Israeli officials had anticipated that there might be rocket fire from Gaza after the IDF killed several terrorists in Jenin on Tuesday, including the murderer of the Israeli brothers Hallel Menachem and Yagel Ya’acov Yaniv.

The terrorist had killed the Yaniv brothers on February 26 but was only located on Tuesday.

In addition, the IDF recently has had heavy activities against terrorists in the Nablus area.

IDF sources suggested that the incident Wednesday might not be connected to any of the incidents around Jenin, Nablus, or the Gaza rocket fire, although there was no explanation as to why Hamas would specifically have tried to attack an IDF bulldozer today as opposed to on other days of regular maneuvers to clear border areas.