(Communicated by the IDF Spokesperson)
Overnight, an IDF force identified a number of Palestinian terrorists approaching the security fence in the northern Gaza Strip, in an attempt to plant explosive devices. Thwarting the attempt, the force fired at the militants, hitting three of them.
During 2010, approximately 100 different terror-related incidents took place near the security fence surrounding the Gaza Strip, an average of an incident every three days.
The presence of Palestinian civilians in the area adjacent to the security fence is used by terrorist organizations as cover for their activities, including planting explosive devices, planning terrorist attacks and attempting to kidnap IDF soldiers. For this reason, the IDF will not allow anyone to be present in this area. The IDF holds the Hamas terrorist organization solely responsible for maintaining the calm in the Gaza Strip and for any terrorist activity emanating from it.