Qassam rockets kill Israeli soldiers prepping Rafah attack
Four soldiers at a military site near Kerem Shalom crossing were killed as they guarded tanks destined for an upcoming Israeli operation in Rafah
The Israeli soldiers killed by Qassam Brigades rockets at a military site near the Gaza border on 5 May were guarding tanks destined for an upcoming operation in the city of Rafah.
The Israeli army released an updated death toll on 6 May, revealing Sgt Michael Rozel as the fourth Israeli soldier killed in Sunday’s attack.
He was “killed by the heavy barrage fired from Rafah towards forces that were securing the tanks that were destined to enter the city in the southern Gaza Strip,” Hebrew news site Ynet reported on Monday.
Another 12 soldiers were injured in the attack, including three in serious condition.
The soldiers “were stationed there in order to guard equipment and tanks of battalions preparing to enter Rafah – which is beyond the fence,” Ynet said, adding that “in recent weeks many dozens of tanks and APCs have been deployed in the area as part of the preparations for the ground operation.”
The army had previously warned that the area was “exposed” and made extra fortifications and reduced troops at the site.
Tel Aviv is investigating why the Iron Dome missile defense system did not intercept the Qassam Brigades’ barrage.
“The Qassam Brigades bombarded concentrations of enemy forces at the Kerem Shalom site and its surroundings with the 114 mm short-range Rajoum rocket system,” the resistance group said in a statement via its Telegram page.
They announced several other attacks on Israeli forces across Gaza that day, including an attack on the Netzarim corridor used by troops to split Gaza and prevent the return of displaced to the north.
A source within the resistance told Al Mayadeen that the Kerem Shalom operation “relayed several political messages, most notably the resistance's readiness to defend the people of Palestine against reckless Israeli aggression [on Rafah], as well as military messages affirming the resistance's capabilities and steadiness despite the successes the Israeli occupation claims it is achieving.”
The missile strikes on Kerem Shalom came a day after an Israeli official told AP that Tel Aviv “remains “committed” to an operation in Rafah and “will not agree in any circumstance to end the war as part of a deal to release hostages.” A Hamas official confirmed to Al Jazeera earlier on Saturday that Israel’s position in the talks has hindered chances of reaching a ceasefire and prisoner exchange agreement.