The IDF has once again proven its might when it thwarted another terrorist infiltration into Israel on Monday. IDF observation units identified the terror cell entering Israel in the early morning hours.
Residents in the Sha’ar Hanegev, Sdot Negev and Eshkol regions close to Gaza were warned to stay in their homes and lock their doors as the IDF carried out manhunt to locate the terrorists. Roads south of Ashkelon were closed to traffic.
It is believed that ten terrorists entered Israeli territory via a terror tunnel dug from Gaza. The terrorists split up into two teams. One team headed toward Erez and the second toward Nir Am, two southern kibbutzim.
An IAF drone followed the movements of the terror team moving towards Erez, eventually neutralizing the threat. Ground forces neutralized the team moving toward Nir Am after an intense firefight.
The IDF released a rare video documenting the firefight between ground forces and the terror cell. The terrorists are seen hiding in bushes followed by shooting at IDF forces.
As the terrorists attempt to run back to the entrance to the tunnel back to Gaza, they are seen being neutralized.
The latest thwarted infiltration is the latest in a series of attacks by Gaza terrorists. Operation Protective Edge, which now enters its 14th day, is not focusing on dismantling terror infrastructure in the Gaza Strip, specifically terror tunnels and weaponry. A lot of the fighting has centered on the northern Gaza city of Shuja’iya.
On Saturday, two IDF soldiers were killed by terrorists when a group of terrorists emerged from a tunnel disguised as soldiers and began opening fire on troops stationed nearby.
