Terror continues even as defense minister, IDF chief, GOC Southern Command brief reporters on terror attacks that killed seven in south: Terrorists fire on IDF patrol, wounding combat soldier
Ynet reporters
GOC Southern Command Major-General Tal Russo told reporters Thursday that of the seven Israeli victims killed in the multiple terror attack near Eilat, six were civilians and one was a soldier.
Another shooting incident was reported during the press conference, where Defense Minister Ehud Barak and IDF Chief of Staff Benny Gantz also spoke.
Full coverage of attacks in south:
A military source says fire was opened on an IDF patrol searching for the terrorists who committed the deadly attacks in the south, wounding a combat soldier.
Russo recounted the chain of events during the briefing, saying that three terrorists carrying explosive devices, weapons and grenades entered Israel from Sinai.
Defense officials brief reporters
Later a suicide bomber detonated his explosives belt, and another terrorsit opened fire at IDF forces that arrive on the scene. According to Russo, two operatives were shot and killed over the border fence, and it appears that Egyptian forces killed two others on their territory.
"At this point the event has been seemed finished, but then we found explosives on the path," Russo said.
He added that one of the attacks took place near an Egyptian border checkpoint. "It appears the Egyptians hit two terrorists in their territory," Russo said.
In his briefing, Gantz addressed the bombing of a Rafah building said to be used by the Popular Resistance Committees. "We have operated in Gaza, in a location where we believe the attacks originated, and we will continue to operate in the rest of the area in order to ensure that residents of Eilat continue to live their lives in peace," he said.
"Unfortunately it is not always possible to prevent such attacks, but the IDF is already hitting the heads of the committees in Gaza and if need be the strikes will be exacerbated. We must understand – there are more aims to terror, more determination to continue to attack us."
Meanwhile, the Anti Terror Bureau released a statement Thursday evening warning Israelis against visiting Sinai. Israelis already there should leave immediately, the statement adds.
"Following the terror in the south, please note that a grave travel warning is still in effect on Sinai," the bureau stated.
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