Barely 36 hours after the IDF tragedy in Gaza in which six soldiers were killed and have still not been buried, another armored personnel carrier (APC) was similarly attacked in a different area of Gaza. The army is reporting multiple casualties.
The attack occurred shortly before 7 PM along the Israeli-Egyptian border, known as the Philadelphi Route, in southern Gaza. It began when a large D-9 bulldozer, on its way to or from a mission to blow up arms-smuggling tunnels, drove over a small explosive planted under the road. Two soldiers were lightly hurt, and two APCs were called to the site to evacuate them. The terrorists were waiting for this development, and when the APCs arrived, they detonated a much larger explosive. One of the vehicles was carrying several dozen kilograms of explosives, just as in Tuesday morning's incident, and the damage was great. Several wounded were flown to Soroka Hospital in Be'er Sheva.
The Islamic Jihad terrorist organization claimed responsibility for the attack. IDF vehicles have been attacked often along this route, but there were no casualties and the damage was light - until tonight.
It was reported earlier that three Kassam rockets were launched towards Nachal Oz in the Negev; no one was hurt.
In the meantime, enough remains of the six soldiers killed Tuesday morning to allow burial, and their funerals will be held tomorrow. The family of Yaakov Marviza, who immigrated to Israel alone two years ago, has asked to bury him in their hometown in Yugoslavia. Four other soldiers will be buried at two-hour intervals at Mt. Herzl Military Cemetery in Jerusalem, beginning at 12:30 PM. The funeral of Ofer Jerbi has not yet been set.
The attack occurred shortly before 7 PM along the Israeli-Egyptian border, known as the Philadelphi Route, in southern Gaza. It began when a large D-9 bulldozer, on its way to or from a mission to blow up arms-smuggling tunnels, drove over a small explosive planted under the road. Two soldiers were lightly hurt, and two APCs were called to the site to evacuate them. The terrorists were waiting for this development, and when the APCs arrived, they detonated a much larger explosive. One of the vehicles was carrying several dozen kilograms of explosives, just as in Tuesday morning's incident, and the damage was great. Several wounded were flown to Soroka Hospital in Be'er Sheva.
The Islamic Jihad terrorist organization claimed responsibility for the attack. IDF vehicles have been attacked often along this route, but there were no casualties and the damage was light - until tonight.
It was reported earlier that three Kassam rockets were launched towards Nachal Oz in the Negev; no one was hurt.
In the meantime, enough remains of the six soldiers killed Tuesday morning to allow burial, and their funerals will be held tomorrow. The family of Yaakov Marviza, who immigrated to Israel alone two years ago, has asked to bury him in their hometown in Yugoslavia. Four other soldiers will be buried at two-hour intervals at Mt. Herzl Military Cemetery in Jerusalem, beginning at 12:30 PM. The funeral of Ofer Jerbi has not yet been set.