JERUSALEM (JTA) — Israeli soldiers fired on Palestinians carrying out sniper attacks on the Gaza border, killing one, the Israeli army said.
At least nine more Gaza Palestinians were injured in the shootout, the Palestinian Maan news agency reported Tuesday evening.
The Israel Defense Forces said in a statement that troops “identified terrorists preparing to attack forces carrying out defensive activities in southern Gaza Strip.” The cell had been operating on the border for the last week, according to the IDF.
The incident occurred shortly after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared the Gaza border “under control” during a visit to the IDF’s Gaza Division headquarters.
“We are carrying out a struggle over Israel’s security on a number of fronts,” he said, specifying the Temple Mount, the West Bank and Gaza. “The situation here is under control.”
Israel has made it clear to Hamas that Israel holds the militant group responsible for everything happening inside and emanating from the Gaza Strip, and that Israel will not tolerate attacks on Israel and its citizens.
Also Tuesday, hundreds of Palestinians rioted at Rachel’s Tomb near Bethlehem, throwing firebombs and rocks. A Border Police officer was injured by a firebomb.
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