IDF fires at Gaza terrorists planting bomb along fence

Spokesman's Office says an accurate strike was confirmed by IDF units; "terrorists exploit their presence near the border fence to plant explosives."

By YAAKOV LAPPIN
Islamic Jihad terrorists in Gaza 311 (R) (photo credit: REUTERS/Mohammed Salem)
Islamic Jihad terrorists in Gaza 311 (R)
(photo credit: REUTERS/Mohammed Salem)
An IDF force opened fire on a Palestinian terror cell that was planting two explosive devices along the Gaza Strip-Israel border fence Monday afternoon.
The IDF Spokesman's Office said fire was opened after the cell was identified planting the bombs, adding that an "accurate strike" was confirmed by the army. The army directed tank fire at the terror cell. Three Palestinians were injured in the IDF response, Palestinian news agency Ma'an reported, citing medical sources in Gaza.
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"Terrorist elements exploit their presence near the border fence to plant explosives, and plan attacks and kidnappings on IDF soldiers. This presence poses a threat to Israeli citizens and to security forces that operate in the area," the spokesman added.
Over the weekend, a foreign worker from Thailand suffered slight injuries from a rocket fired from the Gaza Strip that landed in the Hof Ashkelon Regional Council area.
The rocket was one of two fired into Israel overnight Saturday, with another rocket falling in the area south of Ashkelon an hour previous to the rocket that caused the injury. The first rocket did not cause any injuries or damage.
Earlier Saturday, the Israel Air Force (IAF) struck a terrorist cell that was making final preparations for firing a rocket into Israel, an IDF spokeswoman said on Saturday night.
The terror cell was hit by a missile fired by an aircraft. The strike occurred in Ak-Karara, east of Khan Younis, in southern Gaza.
JPost.com staff contributed to this report.