Palestinians approached Gaza border in attempt to plant explosive devices; IDF holds Hamas responsible for violence in strip. The IDF in cooperation with the IAF opened fire upon several Palestinians seen approaching the Gaza border fence Tuesday evening. One person was killed.

IDF forces in the area suspected the cell of attempting to plant explosive devices along the border. They opened fire and IDF confirmed hitting one of the suspects.

This is the latest incident in a series of escalations along the Gaza border.

IDF Chief of General Staff Lt.-Gen.Gabi Ashkenazi said on Monday that “the IDF holds the Hamas terrorist organization solely responsible for any terrorist activity emanating from the Gaza Strip. We hope that the security situation in the south does not deteriorate, however the IDF is preparing for any scenario,” during a meeting with Italian Chief of Defense Gen. Vincenzio Camporini at the Defense Ministry in Tel Aviv.

On Sunday two Kassam rockets fired from the Gaza Strip struck southern Israel, hours after the IDF fired on several Palestinians suspected of planting explosives along the security fence, killing two Islamic Jihad terrorists.

A combined force of IAF helicopters and armored troops reported direct hits on the suspects. Islamic Jihad’s military wing said in a statement that two of its fighters had been killed in the incident east of Khan Yunis. Israeli military sources confirmed the two deaths. (© 1995 - 2010 The Jerusalem Post. 12/29/10)