IDF soldiers were fired upon and drawn into a gunfight with terrorists from the Popular Resistance Committees (PRC) at the Erez Crossing in northern Gaza on Monday evening. The PRC gunmen also threw several grenades during the encounter. Initially, however, the attack was launched against unarmed Fatah-linked Arabs who were trying to cross out of the Hamas-controlled territory into pre-1967 Israel.
No IDF troops were injured in the incident at Erez, which began close to 7:30 pm, but one person was confirmed dead and another 20 injured. The dead man was a relative of a Fatah terrorist who had been lynched last week by Hamas supporters. The PRC terror organization claimed responsibility for the attack.
IDF teams and Magen David Adom (Red Star of David) emergency medical service ambulances responded to alerts of the exchange of gunfire. The IDF treated the wounded Arab victims, who were located on the Hamas-controlled side of the Gaza perimeter fence. MDA medics were placed on standby, as well, in case they were needed.
Official Hamas sources condemned the PRC for attacking the Fatah members at the Erez Crossing, stating that Hamas does not wish to endanger Arab civilians. The PRC is a
The attack was launched against unarmed Fatah-linked Arabs.
Gaza-based group consisting of members belonging to Hamas, Fatah, Islamic Jihad and other Palestinian Authority terrorist organizations.
Monday evening's shooting of Arabs seeking refuge under Israeli sovereignty from the Hamas regime was not the first of its kind. For several days, ever since the Islamist Hamas organization tightened its grip on Gaza, several hundred PA Arabs have been clamoring to exit Gaza through the Erez Crossing. However, armed men from Hamas have been patrolling the area and periodically preventing the mass flight, including by means of opening fire at the would-be asylum-seekers.
In what is possibly a related incident, PA terrorists in northern Gaza launched a Kassam rocket at Sderot on Monday night. The projectile landed in an industrial zone near the Negev city. There were no injuries in the attack, although police and fire departments were called to the scene of the explosion.
No IDF troops were injured in the incident at Erez, which began close to 7:30 pm, but one person was confirmed dead and another 20 injured. The dead man was a relative of a Fatah terrorist who had been lynched last week by Hamas supporters. The PRC terror organization claimed responsibility for the attack.
IDF teams and Magen David Adom (Red Star of David) emergency medical service ambulances responded to alerts of the exchange of gunfire. The IDF treated the wounded Arab victims, who were located on the Hamas-controlled side of the Gaza perimeter fence. MDA medics were placed on standby, as well, in case they were needed.
Official Hamas sources condemned the PRC for attacking the Fatah members at the Erez Crossing, stating that Hamas does not wish to endanger Arab civilians. The PRC is a
The attack was launched against unarmed Fatah-linked Arabs.
Gaza-based group consisting of members belonging to Hamas, Fatah, Islamic Jihad and other Palestinian Authority terrorist organizations. Monday evening's shooting of Arabs seeking refuge under Israeli sovereignty from the Hamas regime was not the first of its kind. For several days, ever since the Islamist Hamas organization tightened its grip on Gaza, several hundred PA Arabs have been clamoring to exit Gaza through the Erez Crossing. However, armed men from Hamas have been patrolling the area and periodically preventing the mass flight, including by means of opening fire at the would-be asylum-seekers.
In what is possibly a related incident, PA terrorists in northern Gaza launched a Kassam rocket at Sderot on Monday night. The projectile landed in an industrial zone near the Negev city. There were no injuries in the attack, although police and fire departments were called to the scene of the explosion.