“Israel will not tolerate harm to IDF soldiers and will respond accordingly.”
By The IDF Club
Hamas carried out yet another serious ceasefire violation on Wednesday when terrorists emerged from an underground tunnel in eastern Rafah and opened fire on IDF troops operating in the area.
According to updated findings from the initial IDF investigation, the incident began when forces identified a figure covered in a blanket running in the area and entering a building.
The soldiers scanned the structure remotely, without entering it, but found nothing. To reinforce the search, a Namer armored personnel carrier was brought to the location. Shortly after its arrival, two terrorists emerged from a nearby underground tunnel.
Troops inside the Namer identified the terrorists and opened fire, killing one and wounding the second. Before being hit, the second terrorist managed to fire an RPG at the armored vehicle. The blast caused the injuries to the soldiers. The wounded terrorist then escaped back into the tunnel. Forces are still searching for the third suspect, the blanket-covered figure who entered the building at the start of the incident.
One Golani soldier was critically wounded in the attack. Two additional Golani fighters and a non-commissioned officer from the Gaza Division were moderately injured. All were evacuated to a hospital, and their families have been notified.
Southern Command forces remain fully deployed in the area in accordance with the ceasefire arrangements and continue to operate against any immediate threats.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned the attack, saying he sends his wishes for a “swift recovery to our heroic fighters who were wounded today in the encounter in Rafah.” He said Hamas “continues to violate the ceasefire agreement and carry out terror attacks against our forces,” and stressed that “Israel will not tolerate harm to IDF soldiers and will respond accordingly.”
The IDF continues scanning the area and remains committed to protecting Israeli civilians and confronting every threat on the ground.
