A at about 04:00 on Wednesday morning 13 Adar a navy patrol detected a Gazan fishing boat heading across the marine border from Gaza. After several attempts ordering the ship to halt and turn around, the patrol fired at the vessel and striking it.

Navy officials familiar with the incident applaud the response of the patrol, stating soldiers followed protocol made numerous attempts to stop the vessel without using gunfire. After the vessel was hit it did turn around and head back.

Some military officials explain that the terrorists in Gaza are routinely testing IDF response along land and marine borders as they remain tenacious in their efforts to perpetrate terror attacks. Later in the day a Gaza trying to cross the land border near an Eshkol Regional Council community was apprehended by IDF soldiers. The infiltrator was armed with a knife. He was taken into custody and turned over to the ISA (Israel Security Agency – Shin Bet).

The more serious event of the day occurred during the afternoon hours at Jat Junction in Shomron when shots rang out targeting military vehicles. One of the vehicle was hit. B’chasdei Hashem there was no loss of life or injuries. Soldiers began searching the area for the terrorist.

Military officials report a sharp increase in confrontations with PA (Palestinian Authority) residents in areas of Yehuda and Shomron in recent days as well as an increase in terror attacks.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)