According to IDF investigators, the terrorists that infiltrated into southern Israel near Kibbutz Ein HaShloshah on Shabbos morning were well equipped. Channel 2 News reports that in addition to their weapons and ammunition they carried handcuffs and a bottle of a tranquilizing agent, signaling they planned taking hostages, hoping to kidnap them back to Gaza via the tunnel.

It is believed that 8-to-9 terrorists took part in the operation, entering Israel via a tunnel about 200 meters into Israeli territory. The IDF Spokesman on motzei Shabbos adds the terrorists were dressed in IDF uniforms.

The terrorists opened fire at the first jeep they saw with anti-tank rockets and automatic weapons, killing IDF Major (reserves) Amotz Greenberg HY”D, 45, the father of three and compulsory service soldier Adar Bersano HY”D, 20, from Nahariya.  Two Armored Corps officers sustained moderate injuries. The IDF force killed one of the terrorists.

Since the counter-terrorism ground offensive began, the IDF discovered 34 shafts leading to tunnels used by terrorists between Israel and Gaza. Combat engineers are responsible for destroying the tunnels. Units operating in Gaza include paratroopers, Nachal, Givati, armored corps, Maglan, combat engineers, and special forces.

IDF sources report that 70 terrorists have been killed since the ground invasion, including 20 in the past 24 hours.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)