Israeli airstrike kills two Palestinian militants near the Israel-Egypt border

Israeli airstrike kills two Palestinian militants near the Israel-Egypt border

2011-12-09 07:49:14 GMT+7 (ICT)

GAZA (BNO NEWS) -- Israeli aircraft carried out an airstrike in the northern Gaza Strip on Thursday, killing two Palestinian militants who were allegedly planning a terrorist attack, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) said.

An IDF spokesperson said the airstrike thwarted an attack against Israeli civilians and security forces along the Israel-Egypt border. One of the militants killed, Isam Subahi Isamil Batash, is believed to have been a senior operative in the Al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades.

According to Palestinian media, the airstrike happened near Gaza Municipality Park when Israeli aircraft targeted a vehicle traveling in the area. Media reports, citing Palestinian medical sources, added that several others were injured in the strike.

According to the IDF, Batash is believed to have been involved in numerous previous attacks, including a suicide bombing in the southern Israeli city of Eilat in 2007 which left three Israeli civilians killed.

"The IDF will not tolerate any attempt to harm the State of Israel and IDF soldiers, and will continue to operate against anyone who uses terror against the state of Israel," an IDF spokesperson said. "The Hamas terror organization is solely responsible for any terrorist activity emanating from the Gaza Strip."

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