Two Hamas terrorists were killed on Tuesday when an Israel Defense Forces’ tank returned fire after being attacked during a patrol.
“In response to terrorists shooting at IDF forces in the northern Gaza Strip, an IDF tank attacked the position belonging to the Hamas terror group where the attack originated,” the army said. “There were no casualties to our forces.”
The men were both claimed as members of the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades, a violent wing of Hamas.
Gaza media reported that an additional six people were injured.
“The IDF will take action against any offensive intent and every attempted attack on our forces,” the army said, adding that it held Hamas responsible for all violence coming out of Gaza.
Hamas issued a statement threatening to retaliate for the deaths.
“The resistance cannot allow the occupation to impose a policy of bombing sites and targeting fighters without paying the price,” it said in a statement.
The military exchange occurred as reports that Israel and Hamas would commit to a cease-fire agreement. Hamas’s charter calls for the destruction of the State of Israel and refers to parts of the Koran that call for pious Muslims to kill Jews.
On Monday, Israel responded to the launching of flaming balloons from Gaza into southern Israel by launching an airstrike, injuring two Gazans.
