Two IDF soldiers killed in Gaza clashes
By YAAKOV KATZ AND JPOST.COM STAFF 26/03/2010
Two others wounded, one seriously; at least 2 Palestinian terrorists killed; unusually, Hamas claims responsibility to 'ambush' of IDF troops.
Two IDF soldiers were killed in the southern Gaza Strip on Friday evening, the IDF announced several hours after clashes occurred near the town of Khan Younis in the Strip.
Another soldier was seriously wounded in the incident and another one was lightly wounded.
One of the casualties was a high-ranking officer. The identity of the slain soldiers was not yet released for publications.
A team of soldiers from the 12th Battalion of the infantry Golani Brigade entered the Strip around 4 p.m. after several men were spotted placing what seemed to be explosive devices near the Gaza border fence.
The force was attacked with mortar shells from inside the Strip, and in the fire exchange that ensued, at least two Palestinians were killed and several others wounded.
The military was uncertain whether the incident was a prepared ambush or if the fire exchange began because the soldiers crossed the border fence into Gaza.
The IDF was using helicopters and mortar fire against the Palestinians, who reportedly belong to the Jaljalat, an extremist al-Qaida inspired group.
The group is not affiliated with Hamas.
But later on Friday evening, the Hamas Website said the group's gunmen were involved — a departure from the Islamic terror group's tendency over the past year to avoid confrontation with Israeli forces.
Hamas spokesman Abu Obeida told Hamas radio that IDF forces "fell into an ambush" set by Hamas terrorists east of Khan Younis. He did not elaborate. He said IDF troops entered 500 meters into Gaza "but our men preempted them."
He also said the action was taken in revenge to the killing of Hamas official Mahmoud Al-Mabhouh, which Hamas pinned on Israel.
Islamic Jihad also claimed responsibility for the attack, saying that the attack was intended to kidnap a soldier.
The Prime Minister's Office issued a statement saying Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu "joins in the grief of the families of soldiers who died today protecting the state and hopes for the quick recovery of the wounded soldiers.
"This is a hard day for the State of Israel and for the Israel Defense Force," Netanyahu said.
In a hint of warning, Netanyahu added "Israel's strong positions on those wishing to harm its civilians and soldiers - is well known."
Two IDF soldiers killed in Gaza border clashes
Two Israel Defense Forces soldiers were killed Friday in clashes with Palestinian militants near the Kissufim crossing on the Gaza border, the IDF spokesperson confirmed. One of the soldiers killed was the regiment's deputy commander.
Major Eliraz Peretz, 31, from Kiryat Arba, commanded over regiment 12 in the Golani brigade. His brother, First Lieutenant Orian Peretz, was killed in south Lebanon in 1998.
Two more soldiers were wounded in the incident, one of whom is in serious condition.
During the incident, IDF troops shot and killed two Palestinian militants near the Gaza security fence as they allegedly attempted to plant an explosive device near the border.
According to the Palestinian news agencies, heavy crossfire was held between the IDF soldiers and the Palestinians near the Kissufim crossing east of Khan Yunis, during which the two Palestinians were killed.
Hamas said its gunmen fired on Israeli soldiers who crossed into the Gaza Strip.
"An Israeli army force raided 500 metres (yards) into Palestinian territory, and was confronted by our gunmen," said Abu Obeida, spokesman for the Hamas armed wing. "This was our work, but was carried out for defense."
Witnesses said Friday's exchange of fire began when an explosion, possibly caused by a anti-armor rocket fired from the nearby Palestinian town of Khan Yunis, hit an Israeli army patrol on the central Gazan border.
Backed by tanks, the troops fired back at their assailants and entered Gazan territory, the witnesses said. Such pursuits are common practice for the Israelis, who try to maintain a buffer zone within the border fence off-limits to Palestinians.
Tensions have run high along the Gaza frontier this month, with Israel launching repeated air strikes in response to Palestinian rocket attacks, one of which killed a Thai worker in a kibbutz last week.
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