Tensions along the Israel-Gaza border continued to escalate Wednesday as IDF tanks targeted two Hamas positions after two Palestinians set fire to a wooden platform near the security fence.
The incident took place in the abandoned Karni Crossing, in northern Gaza.
"The IDF takes any attempt to harm or vandalize the security fence and defense infrastructure very seriously," the IDF Spokesperson's Unit said in a statement.
The statement confirmed that two Hamas posts in northern Gaza were shelled; stressing that at no time did the two suspects cross the border fence.
The incident came a day after three terrorists, armed with knives and grenades, breached the Gaza border. They were apprehended several hours later near the Tze'elim army base and handed over to the Shin Bet security agency for interrogation.
Also on Wednesday, the IDF announced that a weeklong closure will be imposed on the West Bank and Gaza Strip will begin on Thursday, ahead of the Passover holiday.
Closures of this kind are routinely imposed ahead of major Jewish holiday to minimize security risks.
The military said that all crossings to the West Bank and the Gaza Strip would be closed to Palestinians beginning Thursday at midnight until Saturday, April 7 at midnight. Exceptions will be made in humanitarian, medical and other urgent cases, as determined by the Office of the Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories.
