IDF combat troops stationed at the Gaza border prevented a terrorist attack on a Jewish community Monday night and wounded at least one of two terrorists, who escaped back into the Beit Hanoun area in northern Gaza.
Area residents were ordered to remain in their homes until the army was certain that the danger had passed.
Arabs in Gaza reported that Israeli Air Force aircraft were hovering over the areas immediately after the incident, one of the most serious in recent months.
Golani soldiers at a lookout post reported to their commanders they had spotted two armed terrorists trying to approach the security fence. The soldiers opened fire, hitting both men. Their condition is not known.
The cell apparently was trying to carry out a terrorist attack on nearby Jewish communities, either Zikim or Nativ Ha’Ashara.
The attempt to infiltrate and carry out a terrorist attack follows by nearly two weeks another effort to cross the fence.
Terrorists also exploded a bomb at an army bulldozer in the area approximately a month ago near Kibbutz Nahal Oz. No one was injured in the attack.