IDF foils terror attack attempt along Israel-Egypt border

Israel Defense Forces soldiers yesterday detonated a 15-kilogram explosive seized during a search along the border with Egypt.

IDF troops patrolling the border late Wednesday spotted a suspicious figure carrying a bag, who they suspected was trying to infiltrate into Israel. When the troops tried to arrest the man, he fled back to Egypt, leaving behind the bag, which yesterday was found to include the massive explosive.

Terrorist groups have recently increased their attempts to infiltrate Israel via Egypt to carry out attacks.

Also yesterday, Palestinian militants fired five mortars into Israel's northwest Negev region. The mortars hit the Eshkol Regional Council area, and caused no injuries or damage.

On Sunday, Israel bombed a metal foundry and smuggling tunnels in Gaza, after a rocket launched by Gaza militants exploded in southern Israel the previous morning, causing no injuries.

Hamas said last Saturday that it had reached an agreement with other militant groups in Gaza to stop firing rockets at Israel, in order to prevent retaliatory strikes. Hamas has mostly refrained from firing rockets since January.