12:51 PM IL:An Israeli who was working on repairing the Gaza border fence was critically wounded by sniper gunfire from Gaza a short time ago. The victim was working to repair the damage to the border fence resulting from last week’s blizzard.

According to preliminary reports the victim was hit while working in the Nachal Ohz area and he is being flown by helicopter to the trauma unit of Soroka Medical Center in Beersheva.

1:03 PM IL:
The victim is reportedly a male in his 50s, apparently a civilian IDF employee hired to work the border fence.

1:08 PM IL:
The wounded worker was hit with sniper fire from Gaza between Kfar Aza and Nachal Ohz.

Former Gaza Division Commander Brigadier-General Shmuel Zaka told Israel Radio moments ago “we cannot ignore the sharp escalation in terror as we have seen in recent days”.

However, Zaka feels the response must be a continuation of the current policy, pinpoint accurate restrained strikes, warning this may however result in an unwanted reaction, a renewed escalation of warfare from Gaza.

Zaka, who today holds a senior post in Ben-Gurion International Airport, explains the response must be calculated in the hope of not crossing the line of launching an escalated response. He added that the best measure against sniper fire is increased defensive actions.

1:19 PM IL:
Moments before the sniper attack along the Gaza border the prime minister was taking part in a ceremony launching the new train service from Sderot to Tel Aviv. Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu made reference to security in the south, stating that since Operation Pillar of Defense the southern area has been quiet for the terrorists in Gaza are aware of the IDF’s capabilities. The prime minister added “Anyone planning an attack should think twice before doing so.”

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)