GOC Southern Command, Major General Yoav Galant, commenting on the attack at Kerem Shalom crossing Saturday morning, stated that "we haven't seen such attacks since the Disengagement." He said the attacks Saturday were "synchronized across the Gaza Strip, aimed at mass killing and the kidnapping of soldiers into Gaza by armored vehicles, ruining the Passover holiday and casting a grave shadow on celebrations of Israel's 60th anniversary."

"Hamas is exploiting the compassion and generosity of the State of Israel by targeting humanitarian crossings. This is a deliberate attack against aiding the Palestinian population," Galant added. "The IDF will continue operating to protect the civilians of the western Negev and the integrity of the security fence from attacks by terrorist organizations - in particular Hamas," he said.