An IDF soldier was lightly wounded on Monday evening when Gaza terrorists fired a rocket and a mortar shell at southern Israel. The soldier was hit by shrapnel and was taken to Barzilai hospital in Ashkelon for treatment.
The attack took place as IDF soldiers battled Gaza terrorists near the security barrier. A gunfight broke out after the heavily armed terrorists approached the barrier, ignoring warnings to stop. Terrorists fired a mortar shell at the soldiers as they retreated.
One of the terrorists was killed in the incident. Two others managed to escape.
Prior to Monday's attacks, the most recent attack from Gaza took place two weeks ago, when terrorists fired a mortar shell at civilian towns in the Eshkol region. No injuries were reported.
Attempted Attacks in Judea, Samaria
The attacks from Gaza were not the only terrorism-related threats reported on Monday. On Monday afternoon, Border Police arrested three Palestinian Authority Arabs near the city of Kalkilya after finding weapons in their car.
The three were in possession of a Kalashnikov rifle, ammunition and a telescopic rifle sight.
The incident took place at a military checkpoint in Samaria. Several similar checkpoints have been dismantled in recent weeks as a “gesture of goodwill” to the Palestinian Authority.
Also on Monday afternoon, two pipe bombs were discovered in a car traveling between Jerusalem and the Gush Etzion region. Soldiers shut down the “Tunnels Road” as army sappers destroyed the explosives.
The car in question was driven by an Arab citizen of Israel, who was detained for questioning. Police believe the bombs may have been meant for a criminal attack, and not for terrorism.