Israeli snipers eliminate Palestinian sniper cell in Gaza

Israel eliminated a terrorist cell conducting sniper attacks along the Gaza border against Israeli forces.

By: Lauren Calin, World Israel News

Israeli security forces identified and took out a terrorist cell responsible for sniper attacks across the Gaza border on Wednesday morning. There have been numerous violent incidents along the Gaza border, with Palestinian rioters breaching the fence and penetrating into Israel several times.

The IDF spokesman issued a statement on the operation, which was carried out by IDF forces and the Border Police’s “Yamam” elite anti-terrorism unit in cooperation with the Shin Bet. Israel identified the terrorist cell as it was preparing to carrying out sniper attacks against Israeli security forces working along the southern end of the border. Israeli snipers then successfully shot the terrorists. The cell was responsible previously for a number of similar attacks.

“The IDF will not tolerate any attempt to harm the citizens of the State of Israel or the soldiers of the IDF and will continue to act against every attempt to carry out terrorist activities against the State of Israel,” the spokesman’s statement concluded.

On Tuesday afternoon, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Moshe Ya’alon visited the Gaza border, expressing optimism about the security situation.

“I am under the impression that the situation here is under control,” Netanyahu said, adding, “I think Hamas understands that we view it as the responsible entity for all that happens in the Strip, and that we will not allow a violation of our borders, or attacks on our people and territory.”

Ya’alon noted, “There have been several attempts to violate Israel’s sovereignty along the Gaza border. In recent days, our forces have taken control of the issue, and as we can see, the front is quiet.”

Israel is expected to authorize the construction of a new fence along the border with Gaza, similar to the one along the Egyptian border. The fence has been in planning for a year, but no funds had been allocated to build it.