IDF targets mortar launchers
Air Force fires at mortar launcher, vehicle carrying mortar shells in Gaza Strip town of Khan Younis Wednesday after Hamas terrorists fire one shell. Later, three mortar shells fired at Gaza settlements
KHAN YOUNIS - The Air Force fired at a vehicle carrying mortar shells and a nearby mortar launcher in the Gaza Strip town of Khan Younis, the IDF confirmed Wednesday afternoon.
A short while later, Palestinians fired three mortar shells at two southern Gaza Strip settlements. No injuries or damages were reported in the attack.
The terrorists managed to fire one mortar shell before their vehicle and a nearby mortar launcher were targeted by missiles, the army said.
Palestinian and Israeli officials are concerned about further escalation in Gaza Strip violence, particularly after terrorists directed heavy Qassam rocket and mortar fire at Gush Katif settlements and the southern Israeli town of Sderot in recent days.
IDF's patience wearing thin
Earlier Wednesday, the Palestinian Interior Ministry said PA security forces were able to thwart several attempts to launch missiles and rockets at Israeli targets. According to the statement, the forces prevented armed Palestinians from targeting northern Gaza Strip settlements.
According to the announcement, the armed terrorists clashed with PA forces, assaulted them, and even attempted to abduct them. However, the Interior Ministry stressed it would show determination against any attempt to violate the law and hurt Palestinian security officers.
Tensions in Gaza have been high in recent weeks, with Palestinian terror groups repeatedly firing at Israeli targets in the Strip. The IDF, on its part, targeted Palestinian terror suspects on several occasions and said the army's patience is wearing thin in the face of the growing Gaza violence.
On Tuesday, two Palestinian laborers and one Chinese worker were killed and five other Palestinians were wounded after a Qassam rocket hit the Gaza settlement of Ganei Tal.
Meanwhile, IDF forces operating near the West Bank town of Jenin killed the regional Islamic Jihad leader. The army said the terror leader was planning to carry out attacks in Israel.
Earlier, at least two Qassam rockets were fired at Sdeort. One of the rockets hit a residential building near a school and damaged several apartments. A mother and two daughters who were in one of the apartments suffered from shock and were taken to hospital.
