Three Hamas terrorists were wounded in a shootout with IDF soldiers in southern Gaza on Sunday morning, according to reports by IDF sources and local medics.
The skirmish occurred east of the city of Khan Younis, a favorite site from which terrorists often launch rockets at Israeli communities such as Ein HaShlosha, Nir Oz and Kissufim.
One IDF soldier was moderately wounded in the exchange. Military sources reported that the soldier was airlifted to a nearby hospital. Counterterrorism operations in Gaza are continuing.
IDF Rocket Fire Aimed at Netivot, Ashkelon Area
Hamas terrorists in Gaza fired three rockets at southern Israeli communities on Sunday morning in another attempt to "persuade" the Jewish State to accede to a "tahadiyeh," or period of calm.
The ceasefire deal would mean Israel would halt counterterrorism operations in Gaza in exchange for the terrorist group's promise to pause in its launching of rockets.
One of the rockets fired before 8:00 a.m. was a medium-range Grad missile that exploded near Netivot, located approximately a half hour's drive from Be'er Sheva. Two shorter-range Kassam rockets slammed into an area near a kibbutz south of the port city of Ashkelon.
No one was injured and no property damage was reported.
No Cabinet Discussions on Ceasefire Proposal
Meanwhile, it was decided that the Cabinet would not discuss a proposal for a temporary ceasefire in Gaza during its weekly Sunday morning meeting in Jerusalem.
The discussion was postponed due to a disagreement between Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Defense Minister Ehud Barak over the conditions of the "calm".
The deal is opposed by the security establishment and residents of the Gaza Belt region, who say they do not want the government to stop counterterrorism operations in Gaza before Hamas agrees to return kidnapped IDF soldier Gilad Shalit.
Hamas insists that Shalit's release will not be part of any ceasefire deal.
Maayana Miskin contributed to this story.