Hamas militants launched rockets at Israeli forces near the Kerem Shalom border crossing, resulting in three soldiers killed and three critically wounded, according to the Israeli military, The New York Times reported.
The attack, which involved about 14 rockets and mortars, targeted an area near the Rafah crossing between Gaza and Egypt.
In response to the attack, the Israeli military swiftly destroyed the launcher and targeted other Hamas military infrastructure. The Kerem Shalom crossing, a vital entry point for humanitarian aid into Gaza, was temporarily closed after the incident. Israel’s Foreign Ministry condemned Hamas, accusing them of hindering aid efforts and prioritizing violence over the well-being of Gaza’s population.
Following the attack, Israel’s national security minister urged Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to authorize a military assault on Rafah. The minister argued that previous restraint had led to attacks like the one on Kerem Shalom. Netanyahu’s government faced pressure to take decisive action in response to the escalating violence along the border.
