Israeli tanks fired at Hamas targets in the Gaza Strip on Thursday after several explosive devices planted near the Israel-Gaza border were triggered as Israeli troops were patrolling the area.
No injuries or damage were reported on the Israeli side.
According to the IDF, the explosives had been planted on the Palestinian side of the fence, and detonated at 6:40 a.m., as Golani Brigade troops were approaching the border.
It is believed the explosives were planted in an effort to disrupt construction by Israel of an underground barrier along the border. The barrier is being built to counter the threat posed by Hamas' grid of terror tunnels.
Palestinian media reported Israeli airstrikes near the northern Gaza town of Beit Hanoun, saying that several Hamas sites were targeted and a number of positions had been evacuated.
Several hours after the incident, the IDF Spokesperson's Unit said the explosives had been planted about 100 meters (330 feet) from the fence on the Gaza side, and were triggered remotely. In addition, an anti-tank RPG may also have been launched at the Israeli soldiers.
"The troops were on a routine patrol. There was suspicious activity under the cover of fog. The explosives were detonated remotely," IDF Spokesman Brig. Gen. Ronen Manelis said.
He characterized the incident as "very serious" and said the explosives had been planted either under the cover of the morning fog or during the recent protests that reached the border fence.
"Israel holds Hamas responsible and will not allow protests to become a tool for terrorists to try to carry out terrorist acts against Israel," Manelis said. "But it is still unclear who planted the bombs."
Palestinian sources reported that two people had been killed in Gaza as a result of the Israeli strikes. Other reports denied any casualties.
Last month, four Israeli soldiers were wounded in a similar border incident, two of them seriously.
