IDF kills four Gaza militants, thwarting apparent kidnap bid
By Reuters, Amos Harel, Anshel Pfeffer and Haaretz correspondentsIsrael Defense Forces soldiers early yesterday killed at least four Palestinian militants who were trying to cross into Israel from the Gaza Strip.
An IDF source said the group was planning to launch an attack on an Israeli community bordering the Strip. The defense establishment later said that, once inside Israel, the militants also planned to abduct IDF soldiers.
At least 10 militants - some on horseback - opened fire on an IDF patrol on the Israeli side of the fence. There were no injuries reported among the IDF troops.
Residents said the Palestinian militants fired anti-tank weapons and lobbed explosives at the patrol.
"Those martyrs and this blood will not break the will of the Palestinian people," said Ismail Haniyeh, Hamas' leader in the Gaza Strip.
There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the attack, the first of its kind to reportedly involve horses. Israel closed the crossings into Gaza following the attack.
The incident is one of the bloodiest clashes between Gaza militants and IDF troops since Operation Cast Lead against Hamas almost five months ago.
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