The attack took place shortly after soldiers spotted a group of terrorists attempting to plant explosives along the Gaza security barrier. Terrorists have often used missile attacks at the separation fence as a cover for planting bombs, sniper fire and other forms of attack.
Soldiers responded by firing on the terrorists, but it was not clear if any of the terrorists were hit. In addition, soldiers began searching the area for hidden bombs.
The attack was the first to target soldiers since Israel and Hamas agreed to the ceasefire, which Hamas has violated with dozens of Kassam rocket and mortar shelling strikes against civilians living in Sderot and surrounding towns.
The ceasefire was violated on Thursday as well, when Gaza terrorists fired a short-range Kassam rocket at a kibbutz farm near Sderot. The attack took place as children were walking to school and adults were on their way to work. The rocket exploded in an open field and did not cause any injuries.
On Monday, soldiers discovered fake IDF uniforms hidden in a shipment of humanitarian aid meant for residents of Gaza. Hamas apparently planned to use the uniforms in attacks. Hamas has also taken advantage of humanitarian shipments sent during the ceasefire to take cement meant for civilian projects and use it to build underground bunkers and tunnels.
Hamas has expressed interest in continuing the ceasefire, but demands that Israel extend it to Judea and Samaria as well.
