TWO ISLAMIC Jihad gunmen were killed by Israeli forces on the Gaza Strip border overnight yesterday.
Troops aided by a helicopter gunship opened fire on a group of militants who were planting an explosive device near the security fence in the south of the strip, an Israeli military spokesman said.
The attack was the latest incident in a week of tit-for-tat violence between Israel and Gaza militants.
A statement by the Israeli military put the blame on Hamas, which controls Gaza. “The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) will not tolerate any attempt to attack soldiers and civilians, and will continue to act against any organisation that uses terrorism against Israel. The IDF views Hamas as solely responsible for what is going on in the Gaza Strip, and maintaining quiet.” Hamas rulers warned over the weekend that they would escalate hostilities against Israel if tensions did not subside along the border.
“There is a truce in effect in the field and it is genuine if Israel stops its aggression and ends its siege. But if there is any Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip we will respond strongly,” said a masked spokesman for Hamas’s armed wing, who identified himself as Abu Obeideh.
Muhamed Deif, the ruler of the Hamas military wing, vowed that Hamas would continue its struggle until Israel ceased to exist. “You will disappear and we will have Palestine. We won’t wave a white flag as long as even one Muslim remains,” he said, in a defiant message to Israel marking the 23rd anniversary of the founding of Hamas.
Gaza hospital sources said 13 Palestinians had been killed in cross-border hostilities with Israeli forces this month. But, despite the escalation, Israeli intelligence officials believe that Hamas does not seek an all-out confrontation at this juncture.