IDF Kills Three Terrorists Immediately after Mortar Shell Attack

The Israeli Air Force immediately retaliated for a mortar shell attack on soldiers near Gaza and bombed Islamic Jihad terror targets, reportedly killing three terrorists.

The casualties were reported by Islamic Jihad sources and have not been confirmed or denied by the IDF, but military spokesman Lt. Col. Peter Lerner said, “Direct hits were confirmed” moments after the mortar shell attack. He added, "Rapid reaction and operational capabilities are key to combating terrorist activities against Israel and our forces. Terrorist must know that there is a price to pay when participating in aggression."

The military holds Hamas, the de facto regime in Gaza, responsible for all terrorist attacks.

A spokesman for the Hamas-run Health Ministry told the French News Agency AFP, "Three martyrs have died in a Zionist strike east of Rafiah."

The mortar shell attack was aimed at soldiers who were on routine patrol near the security fence in the areas of the Kerem Shalom crossing.

Earlier in the day, the IDF reported that one of its unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) crashed in southern Gaza due to a technical malfunction.