WarSclerotic

An explosion tore through the Gaza – Israel border on Tuesday morning, injuring three IDF soldiers.

The blast occurred as an IDF force was on a routine patrol near southern Gaza. Paramedics treated all the injured soldiers at the scene, two of whom suffered light injuries. The third soldier was evacuated to hospital via helicopter with moderate injuries.

“The IDF will not tolerate attempts to injure Israeli civilians or security personnel, and will continue to act against any terrorist entity trying to attack the State of Israel,” the IDF stated following the incident.

Last month, Palestinian terrorists detonated an explosive on the Gaza-Israel border, seriously injuring an IDF company commander, who later lost a hand. The explosive was placed on a gate in the Kissufim region, near Kibbutz Ein Hashlosha.

Earlier this week, the IDF appointed a new Gaza Division commander on Sunday evening, naming Brig.-Gen. Micky Edelstein as the new military figure responsible for Israel’s most volatile border.

“The Southern Command, [and] the Gaza Division, you are the commanders and combat soldiers who are ready at any time… to protect the State of Israel’s southern border and provide peace and quiet, support, and routine life as much as possible to citizens,” Russo said during the ceremony.

“At this time, like every day of the year, our soldiers are on standby on the border, standing against our enemies and against anyone who wants to violate the security of the state,” Russo added.

The Gaza border experiences frequent attacks by a host of Gazan terrorist factions, including Hamas, Islamic Jihad, and smaller organizations. The attacks take the form of mortar fire, explosives, rocket fire and machine gun attacks, as well as attempts to cross the border into Israel.

Early on Monday, a Gaza man who approached the Israeli border and ignored calls by soldiers to stop was shot dead overnight Monday.

Palestinian medical sources said the man suffered from a mental condition.