After a month of relative calm along Israel’s border with Gaza, IDF soldiers opened fire Monday evening on two Palestinians who planted an explosive device in the area. According to Islamic Jihad, one of its senior operatives was killed in the incident, while another went missing.

While soldiers were combing the area, an explosion occurred near the security fence. One soldier sustained mild shrapnel injuries as a result. It remains unclear who was behind the blast.

The IDF’s Spokesperson’s Unit said one of the Palestinians killed in the incident was identified as Bassem Dragma, a senior Islamic Jihad operative who took part in the border clash that claimed the lives of Maj. Eliraz Peretz and St.-Sgt. Ilan Sviatkovsky in late March.

About two hours after the border incident, two Qassam rockets fired from northern Gaza landed in an open area in the Negev’s Eshkol Regional Council. There were no reports of injury or damage.

(Source: Ynet)