IDF Foils Terror Attack
Israel Defense Forces soldiers on Thursday detonated a 15-kilogram explosive seized during a search along the border with Egypt.
IDF troops patrolling the border late Wednesday spotted a suspicious figure carrying a bag who they suspected was trying to infiltrate into Israel.
The incident, which occurred Wednesday but was only disclosed to the media on Thursday evening, took place in the southern section of the border area, a military spokesman said.
When the troops tried to arrest the man, he fled back to Egypt, leaving behind the bag, which on Thursday was found to be carrying the massive explosive.
Channel 2 News said the infiltrator intended to meet a contact who would drive him to a large city further north.
Terror groups have increased their attempts to enter Israel via Egypt to carry out attacks, as more security forces have been deployed to patrol the Gaza border.
Also on Thursday, Palestinian militants fired five mortars into Israel’s northwest Negev region.
The mortars hit the Eshkol Regional Council area, and caused no injuries or damage.
Israel on Sunday bombed a metal foundry and smuggling tunnels in Gaza, after a rocket launched by Gaza militants exploded in southern Israel Saturday morning, causing no injuries.
Hamas announced last Saturday that it had reached an agreement with other militant groups in Gaza to stop firing rockets at southern Israeli towns to prevent retaliatory attacks.
Hamas has mostly refrained from firing rockets since January when Israel ended a three week offensive in Gaza, code-named Operation Cast Lead, aimed at stopping almost daily cross-border attacks.
Other Gaza militant groups have since continued with rocket attacks, but on a much smaller scale than before.
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