BICOM

Three Israeli soldiers carrying out a routine patrol were injured yesterday morning after an explosive was detonated near Israel’s border fence with central Gaza.

The incident took place near Kibbutz Nirim. Two of the soldiers were lightly wounded while a third suffered light to moderate injuries and was transported by helicopter to Soroka Hospital in Beer Sheva. Shortly after the explosion, a Kassam rocket was fired from the Gaza Strip and landed in the Eshkol region, causing no damage or injuries. Two weeks ago, a similar roadside bomb was detonated in the same area, seriously injuring a company commander, Capt Ziv Shilon, who lost an arm. Hamas, which controls the Gaza Strip, later claimed responsibility for the attack. Yesterday’s incident is the fourth of its kind to take place in the past three weeks.

Tensions have increased significantly in the Gaza region over the last few weeks, with southern Israel having been hit by dozens of rockets and projectiles fired by armed Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. Hamas has taken an increasingly direct role in these attacks, which are also perpetrated by other armed groups. Israel has responded with strategic air strikes in the region.

Meanwhile, earlier this week Brig. Gen. Miki Edelstein, considered one of the most experienced commanders in the Israeli army, assumed command of the Gaza Division. In a ceremony to mark the change of command, Edelstein said, “The events that have taken place over the past weeks show that the terrorist elements in Gaza are constantly seeking new ways of harming us. This reality requires we prepare for all events, at all times, at all places.