Tension on the southern border: On Thursday afternoon, the Israel Air Force attacked a terrorist squad that fired balloon bombs from the Hamas position in southern Gaza, saying that the IDF would continue to operate with increased intensity against terrorist activity. Gaza health officials reported one fatality and three persons injured as a result of the aerial attack.

Hamas said the man killed was a member of a “special force” tasked with monitoring the Gaza border fence. It did not elaborate or mention if he had participated in launching incendiary devices. Local media reports in Gaza said the group was launching the devices at Israel when they were struck by a drone.

A short time later, Hamas retaliated by firing two mortar shells towards Israel, directing the attack against a force engaged in operational activity in the security barrier area in southern Gaza. B’chasdei Hashem, no injuries are reported. Additionally, siren warnings of incoming rockets later wailed in parts of southern Israel close to the border. Israel deployed tank fire at Hamas positions in response.

Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman visited the Gaza border this week, and they were briefed by senior commanders on the situation and troop preparedness. Lieberman also sent yet another warning to Gaza earlier this week.

Many southern residents and area leaders are calling on elected officials to give the green light for a widespread IDF operation to bring a halt to the unprovoked cross-border attacks from Gaza into southern Israel.

(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem/ Photo Credit: Media Resource Group)