Hamas Ambush Kills 2 IDF Soldiers At Gaza Border, 4 Hamas Killed

Hamas...Hamas...Hamas...how many times do I have to 'splain to you that acts like this will make your lives miserable, once more.

Today, IDF troops entered Gaza to diffuse a mine planted by Hamas terrorists and Hamas was waiting in ambush - the end results was two IDF soldiers killed, 2 wounded (one seriously) and on the other side, four Hamas were killed.

From the article at The Jerusalem Post:

The incident occurred when a team of soldiers from Golani's Battalion 12 entered the Strip around 2:40 p.m. after several men were spotted placing what seemed to be explosive devices near the Gaza border fence on Thursday night.The force was then attacked with mortar shells and gunfire from inside the Strip, as well as an explosive device that went off nearby. In the fire exchange that ensued, at least four Palestinians were killed and several others wounded.But the soldiers were not killed by the explosive device but by gunfire, when the grenade in one of the soldiers' vests was hit by a Palestinian bullet and exploded on his body.

There's some dispute whether these were actually Hamas or not that did this but Hamas took credit for it and it really doesn't matter as Israel has said that any violence coming from Gaza is the responsibility of Hamas, no matter who is behind the IED, gunfire or rockets.

I predict pain for Hamas before the weekend - real pain. The Israelis will avenge these two deaths, believe me. And I would hope all of my readers would say a prayer for the two wounded IDF that they may make it.

Two IDF soldiers killed in Gaza clashes

Major Eliraz Peretz, 31, from Eli, deputy commander of the Golani Brigade's Battalion 12 and Staff Sergeant Ilan Sviatkovsky from Rishon Lezion, were killed in the southern Gaza Strip on Friday evening, the IDF announced several hours after clashes occurred near the town of Khan Younis there.

Peretz's brother Uriel was killed in 1998 in clashes with Hizbullah when the IDF was still deployed in Lebanon. The family has another brother serving in Golani's Battalion 13. The third brother participated in Operation Cast Lead last year.Another soldier was seriously wounded in the incident and another one was lightly wounded. They were both taken to Soroka Hospital in Beersheba.The clashes occurred as Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and an inner circle of his ministers, known as the 'Septet', were meeting in Jerusalem.The Prime Minister's Office issued a statement on Friday evening saying that 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 soldiers who were wounded. "This is a hard day for the State of Israel and for the Israel Defense Force," Netanyahu said.In a hint of warning, the prime minister added "Israel's strong positions against those wishing to harm its civilians and soldiers - are well known."

The incident occurred when a team of soldiers from Golani's Battalion 12 entered the Strip around 2:40 p.m. after several men were spotted placing what seemed to be explosive devices near the Gaza border fence on Thursday night.The force was then attacked with mortar shells and gunfire from inside the Strip, as well as an explosive device that went off nearby. In the fire exchange that ensued, at least four Palestinians were killed and several others wounded.But the soldiers were not killed by the explosive device but by gunfire, when the grenade in one of the soldiers' vests was hit by a Palestinian bullet and exploded on his body.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.