IDF troops opened fire on four Palestinians who infiltrated into Israel from the southern Gaza Strip and tried to set fire to an abandoned army position on Monday.
According to the IDF Spokesperson’s Unit, the men crossed the perimeter fence into Israel east of Rafah city armed with firecrackers and tried to ignite an abandoned sniper position.
IDF troops identified the group and pursued it, opening fire on them. As a result of the shooting one Palestinian was killed, another critically injured and another arrested and transferred to security officials for interrogation.
The critically injured Palestinian was airlifted to an Israeli hospital where he was treated. His condition is now said to be moderate.
פינוי הפלסטיני שנפצע אנוש מירי צה"ל באזור רפיח לביה"ח סורוקה
(צילום: קבוצת ביטחון שדה)@OrHeller @GiladGamlieli עם הפרטים על ניסיון החדירה בגבול עזה, במהלכה גם נהרג פלסטיני >> https://t.co/bZO8yCm2Co pic.twitter.com/2DlGAkabQv— חדשות עשר (@news10) July 2, 2018
The Hamas-run Gaza health ministry reported that a fourth was a 16-year-old who was taken to the hospital in moderate condition after being shot in the shoulder.
During the incident, the military force reported shots being fired at them.
“The force acted quickly against the violation of Israeli sovereignty and the attempt to harm security infrastructures,” read a statement released by the IDF.
“Hamas is responsible for everything in and out of the Gaza Strip and stands behind the attempts to cross the fence and damage security infrastructures. The IDF views these events seriously and will continue to act in a sharp and aggressive manner,” it added.
