The IDF killed at least 9 terrorists in IDF air strikes across Gaza. Three IDF soldiers fell in heavy fighting. Prior to air strikes, terrorists fired dozens of rockets and mortars and shot at troops from inside a mosque.
One IDF strike in northern Gaza early Wednesday morning killed four Hamas terrorists. Late Tuesday night, Air Force gun ships struck Islamic Jihad commander Abdullah el-Rassin as he drove in Jabalya, Gaza.
(Photo: http://photocarlos.com)
Another air strike hit a terrorist lookout, killing at least one terrorist and wounding three. Yet another strike, on a motorcycle, took out two terrorists as they drove through Gaza City.
Israeli forces also carried out an air strike on DFLP (Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine) northern Gaza terror chief Ibrahim Alda earlier Tuesday, as he embarked on an attack.
Heavy Fighting Near Kibbutz Be'eri
Heavy fighting continues near Kibbutz Be'eri, along the Gaza border. IDF troops identified a group of terrorists heading toward the security fence and engaged them. IDF soldiers entered Gaza in pursuit of the terrorists. At least three IDF soldiers were killed in the ensuing battle. Others were wounded lightly as well.
The wounded were transported to nearby hospitals for treatment.
Soldiers returning from the battles reported that heavy fire had come from mosques and that the Islamic structures had been used to store bombs and explosives as well. The allegations were confirmed by the IDF.
(Photo: http://photocarlos.com)
Rockets, Mortars Continue
Terrorist groups continued firing rockets and mortar shells at Israeli communities on Tuesday and Wednesday. One rocket landed in an open area south of Ashkelon Wednesday morning. Ashkelon residents sought cover upon hearing the early-morning siren. Later in the day, the siren sounded mistakenly in Ashkelon.
Seven other rockets were fired at Sderot early Tuesday. A single rocket landed in the Sdot HaNegev region late on Tuesday night. No injuries were reported.
Two mortar shells hit the Nahal Oz area early Wednesday morning. Aside from shelling civilian targets, Arabs fired twelve mortar shells at IDF troops in and around Gaza Tuesday. Most of the attacks took place near the Kissufim Crossing, the main entrance to Gaza formerly used by residents of the Jewish towns of Gush Katif. No injuries were reported.
IDF Soldiers Wounded, Bitten by Snakes
An IDF soldier was lightly to moderately wounded on Tuesday night during an operation in southern Gaza. The soldier was shot in the leg by enemy forces and was taken to Soroka hospital by helicopter.
Three other soldiers suffered light injuries on Tuesday night after being bitten by snakes in three separate incidents. One was bitten at a checkpoint near the town of Avnei Hefetz, one was bitten at a firing range in Zikim, near Ashkelon, and the third was bitten during a training exercise in the north.
Hamas made efforts to inflict mass casualties on advancing IDF troops in Gaza, detonating car bombs near IDF vehicles Tuesday night in southern Gaza’s Dir el-Balah. No soldiers were hurt..
Terrorists Attack House in Ein HaShlosha
Gaza terrorists fired heavy machine gun rounds at Jews living in the Israeli town of Ein HaShlosha Tuesday night. They hit one Kibbutz home, damaging the roof; no people were hurt.
Firebomb Attack on Jerusalem Home
Arabs threw a Molotov cocktail at the balcony of an apartment in Jerusalem on Tuesday night. It was on Naama Street in the mixed neighborhood of Abu Tor.
No injuries were reported in the attack. The apartment was damaged.
IDF Arrests 23 Wanted Terrorists
In Judea, Samaria, and the Jordan River Valley, IDF soldiers arrested 23 wanted terrorists early on Wednesday morning.
IDF forces also arrested several terrorists in Gaza Tuesday. The terrorists were taken in for questioning.
Arab Found Murdered in Former Netzarim; Hamas Blamed
PA media sources and witnesses report that Sami Khattab, a former PA Fatah-affiliated intelligence agent was found dead Tuesday morning in the former Jewish community of Netzarim, in central Gaza.
Khattab's family accused the PA police in Gaza of kidnapping and murdering their son earlier this week. The PA police there are controlled by Hamas, the main rival group to Fatah.
Hamas's interior ministry denied the Islamist group's involvement and said its forces were investigating the crime. The group called the killing "hideous" and said it would bring the killers to justice.
Tension Between Fatah Factions
In Fatah-controlled Judea and Samaria, Fatah's Al-Aqsa Brigades terror group warned the Palestinian Authority police forces under the command of Fatah chief and PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas that anyone attempting to interfere with the group's attacks on Israelis will "meet the fate of traitors."
The communiqué came following an attempt by gunmen to harm Shechem PA government official Jamal Muheisen as he visited the Balata slums in the Samarian city.
London daily Al-Quds Al-Arabi reported that the shooters were from the Al-Aqsa Brigades, some of them prisoners who were let leave a PA jail one week ago.
Shortly after that shooting, terrorists from the Al Aksa Brigades fought Palestinian Authority forces in the marketplace of Shechem on Tuesday evening. At least three passersby were wounded by stray bullets.
The terrorists are among a group of 14 who left PA custody several days ago in protest of their living conditions. While four have since turned themselves in to the PA, the rest continue to hide and to fight PA policemen.
The terrorists clashed with PA police last week as well. One escaped terrorist, two passersby, and three PA policemen were wounded in the incident.
Hamas Denies Plan to Rush Egypt Border
Hamas announced on one of its web sites that the plan to rush the Egyptian border published by the Egyptian Al-Ahram newspaper Tuesday is false.
Calling the report "unfounded lies," Hamas spokesman Dr. Sami Abu Zuhri, said the newspaper's report about deploying mortar launchers along the Egyptian-Gaza border is "sheer fabrication that can be verified by any journalist visiting the border areas."
Dr. Abu Zuhri claimed the report is an "attempt to influence the Egyptian public opinion and prevent it from supporting the Palestinian cause, and on the other hand, to incite Egyptian soldiers at the borders against the Palestinians."
Barak Announces Closure on PA Areas
Defense Minister Ehud Barak announced Wednesday that the IDF would be imposing a closure on Palestinian Authority-controlled areas in Judea and Samaria until after the Passover holiday. The closure is meant to prevent terrorist violence during Passover, as terrorist groups often prefer to strike on Jewish holidays and other special occasions.
During the closure, PA Arabs will not be allowed to enter pre-1967 Israel except in case of medical emergency, or other humanitarian concern.
Police will be on high alert throughout the week of Passover. Police began increasing their manpower on Wednesday.