Two IDF soldiers were lightly injured from mortar shells fired by Palestinian militants from the Gaza Strip this morning, landing in the Eshkol Regional Council. The two were evacuated to a hospital for medical treatment. An IDF force responded by firing at the source of the launches.

The mortar shells landed in the same area where just last night IDF soldiers thwarted an attack by an Islamic Jihad militant who planted an explosive device near the security fence.

Terrorist organizations generally use the area near the fence in order to plant explosives, plan attacks, and kidnapping attempts. The IDF holds Hamas responsible for terror emanating from the Gaza Strip.

Four rockets were launched from the Gaza Strip and have landed in Israel’s southern communities since last night, August 16th, 2010. Over 115 rockets and mortars have been fired at Israeli territory since the beginning of 2010, and over 400 rockets were fired from the Gaza Strip into Israel since the end of Operation Cast Lead.

(YWN Israel Desk)