Israeli Border Stormed by Islamic Jihad, 2 Civilians Killed

Above: Islam jihad attack Israel

Two Israeli civilians were killed in a cross-border raid on the Israeli Gaza border by Palestinian militants.

At least four gunmen stormed the fuel depot at Nahal Oz in broad daylight. The depot is the main depot from which all fuel supplies are piped into Gaza. Palestinians in Gaza, over the past few days, have complained about the shortage of gasoline in their area. Israeli officials said fuel supplies had been sent in through this depot every day, including the day of the attack. The two civilians who were killed were employees of the Israeli energy company that provided the fuel. Because of this attack, the continuous supply of fuel might be in jeopardy.

Two of the four gunmen were killed at the depot. The remaining two others fled back across the border. According to Israeli sources, one of their helicopters pursued the militants and fired a missile at their getaway car in Gaza, killing the two remaining gunmen and their driver.

Soon after, a retaliatory attack was made as an Israeli tank shell hit a house on the Gaza side of the border. An Israeli Army spokesperson said the tank had fired at other militants escaping back into Gaza after the fuel depot attack. According to the military personnel, they killed two more gunmen. However, according to Palestinian hospital officials, the shell killed three Palestinian civilians, two adults and a teenager.

Islamic Jihad, the Popular Resistance Committees and a Fatah group claimed joint responsibility for the assault. Israeli officials, however, blame Hamas and said they will be the ones to bear the consequences of this attack on Israeli civilians.

“It is plain to see that the terrorists’ goal is to kill as many Israelis as possible while also undermining any example of coexistence between Israelis and Palestinians, such as occurs at the crossing points between Israel and Gaza,” said a spokesman from the Israeli Foreign Ministry.

Islamic Jihad leader Khaled al-Batsh said that Israel should be blamed for this recent attack because of its “rejection of the Egyptian efforts to achieve calm” - Egypt has been trying to play mediator and has been brokering for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. So far, no talks have been pursued, and contrary to the Islamic Jihad leader’s claim, both parties have rejected the offer.

The Islamic Jihad leader also added that the attack was meant “to send a message against the siege” – a message that Hamas leader Khalil al-Hayya approves of. In a recent interview, al-Hayya told reporters that the Israeli siege has become unbearable. He also added that “all options” were open – options that include a repeat breach of Gaza’s border with Egypt and “other borders as well.”

Hamas described this recent attack as “heroic and courageous.”

Israel strictly controls all the entry points into Gaza. They have only allowed basic supplies to go in since Hamas took over the area last June. One of these supplies is fuel reserves. Since the daily rocket attacks from all over Gaza started, all supplies have been reduced. And now that the borders are being stormed, Israel could give in to some of their leaders who suggested to stop giving supplies altogether.

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