IDF arrests Hamas men in Hebron, strikes Gaza

Photo by: ASSOCIATED PRESS

The IAF on Friday struck a terror base in northern Gaza and a smuggling tunnel in the southern Strip, according to the IDF spokesman, and accidentally shot and killed a man during an arrest raid targeting a Hamas militant in Hebron. 

Palestinian security and rescue officials in Hebron say troops shot and killed 65-year-old Omar Kawasmeh early Friday while trying to arrest a Hamas militant who lived in the same building. The IDF spokesman expressed regret for the incident in a statement Friday. It said that a quick investigation has been ordered and that the results were expected next week.

Palestinian news service Maan said that Kawasmeh was asleep when Israeli soldiers entered the house. His son said they "entered my father's bedroom and shot him, and took the body with them, which they later handed over to the Palestinian Red Crescent."

Kawasmeh lived on a different floor of the same building, according to Palestinian security and rescue officials in the city of Hebron.

They spoke on condition of anonymity because no official announcement was made.

IDF confirmed the arrest of five Hamas militants in Hebron that had been released from prison by the PA on Thursday. Army Radio reported that the group continued to plan terror attacks in prison, including the fatal shooting of an Israeli couple near Hebron.

The IDF spokesman said that the Gaza air strike was in response to mortar fire from the Strip into Israeli territory on Thursday.

The IDF confirmed they were direct hits and no injuries were reported.

The mortar shell launched from Gaza fell in Sdot Negev on Thursday morning. No injuries or damage were reported.

In a statement issued, the IDF spokesman said that it "holds the Hamas terrorist organization solely responsible for maintaining the calm in the Gaza Strip and for any terrorist activity emanating from it."

The spokesman said the IDF would also "continue to respond harshly to any attempt to use terror against the State of Israel."

On Tuesday, in a joint operation with the Shin Bet (Israel Security Service), the IAF struck a terror base in central Gaza and a smuggling tunnel in the southern Strip.

The IDF spokesperson said that the airstrikes were in response to Kassam fire from the Strip into Israeli territory Tuesday afternoon.