In a new violation of the Israel-Hamas ceasefire deal worked out by Egyptian mediators last week, a homemade military attack drone was discovered on Monday in a southern Israeli community near the Gaza border.
Security officials said the drone, which was carrying explosives, appeared to have landed several days ago in the Sdot Negev Regional Council district.
Police sappers were sent to defuse the explosives attached to the drone.
There was no information on the specific type of drone or in which community it was found.
No physical injuries or property damage was reported in connection with the incident, and no terrorist group has yet claimed responsibility for the launch.
Gaza-based Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar said Sunday at a memorial service for terrorist fighters killed last week during a clash with IDF soldiers that despite the agreement with Israel worked out by Egypt, Hamas “would not sell its blood for diesel and dollars.” The remark was a reference to the $15 million personally delivered to the enclave by Qatar’s envoy to Gaza, and the fuel that was delivered the same week, also paid for by the Qatari government, both with the agreement of Israel.
Sinwar said in his remarks that “Israel’s goals have failed,” saying the next rocket barrage would “surprise” IDF officials by hitting “Tel Aviv and surrounding areas.” He also warned, “Our missiles are more precise, have a greater range and carry more explosives than in the past.”
This past Friday, at least 8,000 Gazans gathered at the border with Israel; although violence was reduced, there were still many incidents of rock-throwing and other attempts to attack IDF soldiers.
In several cases, Hamas terrorists used the cover of the riots to attempt to infiltrate into Israeli territory using explosives to break through the security fence. Two terrorists were shot and killed and one was seriously injured in one such attempt, according to Arab media.