The IDF fended off terror attacks on Israel’s border with Gaza in the south and with Syria in the north.
The IDF on Wednesday confronted threats posed by Hamas on Israel’s southern border with Gaza and by the Islamic State (ISIS) terror group on its northern border with Syria.
On the southern border, terrorists fired at IDF soldiers from the Gaza Strip, moderately wounding an IDF officer. The victim was evacuated to a hospital for further medical treatment, where he underwent surgery for his injuries.
The IDF stated that a Palestinian sniper in Gaza fired at IDF troops under the cover of 20 children who were sent towards the border fence as decoy.
This was the second sniper attack against the IDF in a week. On Friday, Staff Sergeant Aviv Levi was killed while on patrol with the Givati Battalion on the southern Gaza border.
In response to the shooting, IDF tanks and artillery targeted Hamas military posts in the Gaza Strip. Five terrorists were reportedly killed in the strikes.
Gaza-based terrorists launched nine rockets at Israeli territory throughout the night, setting off sirens in communities surrounding the Strip. The Iron Dome missile defense system intercepted one rocket, and the rest exploded in open spaces near the border fence.
Quiet was restored to the area, while Hamas, which rules Gaza, threatened to step up its attacks against Israel.
Hamas’ military wing, the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades, stated Thursday that “Israel will pay in blood for its latest crimes.”
ISIS Rockets on Lake Kinneret
Earlier on Wednesday, ISIS fired two Grad rockets at Israel’s north, setting off sirens in the area. The rockets landed in the Kinneret, Sea of Galilee, causing no damage or injuries.
The beaches were full of swimmers nearby amid the summer vacation season.
In response, IDF aircraft targeted the rocket launcher from where they were fired. The surrounding area was targeted by IDF artillery.
The IDF estimates that the fire was a spillover from the intense fighting between Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s advancing armies and rebel forces based adjacent to Israeli border.
“Over the last few days, intense internal fighting has taken place in Syria adjacent to the border with Israel. The IDF will act against any attempt to compromise Israeli sovereignty and the safety of its civilians,” the army stated.
This was the third consecutive day in which Israel’s north experienced a severe security incident.
On Tuesday, Israel downed a Syrian army plane after it invaded Israeli airspace. A Syrian Air Force Sukhoi Su-22 fighter jet infiltrated about one mile into Israeli airspace before it was shot down by two IDF Patriot missiles.
The Sukhoi had taken off from the T-4 Airbase in Syria before flying towards Israel at a high speed. This happened after hours of increased internal fighting in Syria and Syrian Air Force activity.
On Monday, Israel launched two David’s Sling interceptors at a Syrian missile that was on a trajectory to explode in Israel. The interceptors missed their target, while the Syrian projectile exploded on Israel’s order.
The IDF is on high alert as it continues to fulfill its mission of defending Israeli civilians and sovereignty and will operate against the violation of the 1974 Separation of Forces Agreement, the army stated.
