Israeli fighter pilots attacked Hamas terrorists preparing to launch an anti-tank missile from Gaza on Thursday morning.

The air strike was carried out in a coordinated maneuver together with IDF artillery forces as a Hamas terrorist cell was preparing their attack, aimed at Israeli soldiers involved in routine activity near the Gaza security fence.

The terrorists, all of whom are members of the Palestinian Authority, were in position to launch an anti-tank missile the IDF soldiers at the time of the air strike.

A direct hit was confirmed by army personnel, according to the IDF website.

IAF aircraft also attacked a terrorist base and another terror target, both belonging to the Hamas terror group, in southern Gaza on Monday night. According to a statement released by the IDF Spokesperson’s Unit, precise hits at the targets were identified. All Israeli planes safely returned to their bases.

The statement noted that the airstrikes were a response to Monday’s high trajectory fire at Israeli territory. Sniper and anti-tank missile fire similar to that which was prevented by Thursday morning´s air strike was aimed at Kibbutz Yad Mordechai, targeting a group of farmers in a field, and damaging a restaurant and several vehicles.

At least 10 bullets targeted the junction, some hitting a car which contained an infant carrier in the back seat. One bullet went right through the infant seat, which miraculously was unoccupied at the time of the attack. Short-range Qassam rocket fire was later directed at the Ashkelon Coast Regional Council district as well.

"The IDF will not tolerate any attempt by terrorist groups to target Israeli civilians and IDF soldiers,” stated the IDF on its website (emphasis added by IDF), and will continue to operate against those who use terror against the State of Israel.

"The Hamas terror organization is solely responsible for any terrorist activity emanating from the Gaza Strip,” the army spokesperson said. (IsraelNationalNews © 2012 07/12/12)