BICOM

A Palestinian fighter was killed by the Israeli Air Force (IAF) during a raid yesterday that targeted a squad launching flying firebombs from Gaza into Israel.

According to Palestinian sources, a Hamas fighter was killed and three others wounded in the attack. This is the first time a Palestinian fighter has been directly targeted and killed as a result of sending a flying firebomb into Israel. The IDF had previously only fired warning shots near the groups or had attempted to target their equipment.

Hamas has claimed that the man killed by the IDF was a member of a “special force” team said to be stationed at an observation post near Rafah, in order to monitor the border.

In a separate development, two mortar shells landed near a cowshed in a Kibbutz near the Gaza border, setting off siren alerts that were heard in the Eshkol Regional Council area.

The IDF responded with tank fire at a Hamas observation post and said they will continue “to act with greater strength against terror activities that are being led by the Hamas terror movement”.

Also yesterday, a total of 15 fires broke out following the launch of incendiary kites and flying firebombs. The situation has remained difficult for the inhabitants of Sderot as it was reported that a balloon landed in a garden in the town, which is located less than a mile from Gaza.

Israeli Defence Minister Avigdor Lieberman held a situation assessment on Thursday evening which included the head of the Military Intelligence Directorate, the IDF chief of staff, the Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT) and the Shin Bet and military commanders.

The head of the Eshkol Regional Council, Gadi Yarkoni, said: “We see that the IDF and the political and defence establishment are keeping their promise to residents to put an end to the arsons. We back the IDF in any action necessary to ensure security, and we look forward to the quiet to return to the region.”

In Egypt, there have been attempts to mediate in a truce between Israel and terrorist groups in Gaza, however an agreement has not yet been made.