A truck laden with explosives was detonated on the Hamas side of Erez Crossing in Gaza at about 06:30 Thursday morning. There were no injuries. Security officials believe the truck detonated prematurely, on the Arab side, thereby averting a tragic outcome.

Soldiers prevented the truck from approaching. It was reported shortly following the attack that soldiers also opened fire at a jeep carrying terrorists. Authorities explain they were to have opened fire following the blast, but their vehicle flipped over, perhaps from the powerful blast which contained hundreds of kilograms of explosives.

The al-Quds faction of Islamic Jihad and al-Aqsa Brigade of Fatah claimed joint responsibility for the attack.

According to some reports, the powerful explosion was heard about 30 kilometers (18 miles) away. Windows in neighboring communities such as Netiv HaAsarah were blown out by the reverberations of the explosion.

Shortly following the attack, the IAF targeted a vehicle carrying terrorists in Gaza, in the area of the ruins of the Jewish community of Dugit.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)