LOC10:06
07:06 GMT
GAZA, Jan 9 (KUNA) -- A state of escalating tension prevails the
Gazan-Israeli border area at present after several Palestinian attacks last
week, an Israeli paper said on Sunday.
The Jerusalem Post reported last week's tally of one dead soldier and four
others injured in confrontations with Palestinians, along with three
agriculture workers injured in Southern Israel in a mortar shell attack from
Gaza Strip.
Islamic Jihad's Al-Quds Brigades claimed responsibility for the mortar
attacks.
The Israeli Army said one mortar shell hit a building in Sha'ar Hanegev and
added the three injured were foreign workers, one of whom is now in critical
condition.
According to the paper, Palestinians fired another mortar round last night,
which hit the ground in an uninhabited area and caused neither damage nor
casualties.
Another missile was also fired before midnight from Gaza as well, and it
hit a truck and injured the driver.
An Israeli soldier had earlier been killed, Friday evening, in a
confrontation on the border with Palestinians attempting to plant explosives.
The paper noted an army report saying the soldier was killed by fire of an
Israeli unit which fired several mortar rounds on the Palestinians, one of
which veered off course.
The army report said it was believed three of the Palestinians in the
incident had been injured, but managed to escape the scene.
Following this friendly fire incident, the army decided to put a halt to
use of the mortar weaponry system in view of doubts of technical malfunction.
According to the paper, quoting an army official, two Palestinians were
killed on Thursday when they were trying to infiltrate Israeli territory. The
Israeli Army launched several air raids on Gaza Strip targets that same night,
the Jerusalem Post added.(end)
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