Arab terrorists bombarded Sderot and Gaza Belt communities and Ashkelon Wednesday morning with more than 40 Kassam rockets and mortar shells after the IDF killed six terrorists and destroyed a tunnel that was to be used to kidnap soldiers. The tunnel was located underneath the home of an Arab family, and the IDF stated that its construction, adjacent to the separation barrier was a "blatant violation of the ceasefire." The soldiers withdrew before dawn.

Two troops suffered moderate wounds and four others were lightly wounded. All are in good condition at Soroka Medical Center in Be'er Sheva. No injuries or damage were reported in the rocket attacks and mortar shelling.

Two rockets hit the industrial area and the center of Ashkelon, where the Kassam exploded on a main street. No damage was caused except to the road, and six people were treated for shock.

The clash in Gaza was the first of its kind since the June 19 ceasefire agreement, which has frequently been broken by rocket fire, mortar shelling and sniper fire from Gaza. Israel has refrained from retaliation and has depended on one or two-day closings of Gaza crossings as a deterrent.

Tuesday night's counterterrorist operation was authorized by Defense Minister Ehud Barak and IDF Chief of Staff Gabi Ashkenazi after it was discovered that terrorists intended to stage a kidnapping attempt in the next several days.

Ground troops crossed the separation barrier near Kisufim, in southern central Gaza, around 9 p.m. They began to destroy the tunnel and home when terrorists inside the building opened fire. Soldiers returned fire and killed or wounded four terrorists. A second operation was conducted further to the north when soldiers eliminated terrorists launching rockets and firing mortar shells.

The clash occurred several hours after terrorist mastermind Mohammad Deif called for large-scale attacks on Israel.