Gaza-Israel Clashes Unlikely to Escalate
Israel and Hamas are both preoccupied with other more pressing regional concerns, and have no interest in flaring a crisis of their own.
GAZA CITY — The sudden military confrontation on the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel late Thursday, Oct. 31, and early Friday, Nov. 1, sparked fears among Palestinians that this could lead to an Israeli military operation against the Strip. This latest incident came just a few days after Israel bombed a military training site west of Gaza City, after a number of Palestinian rockets had been launched toward Israeli towns.
Four members of the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas, died as a result of an exchange of gunfire between Israeli forces and a Palestinian group stationed near the eastern border of the city of Khan Yunis in southern Gaza. Five Israeli soldiers were wounded, while two were described as being in serious condition.
Israeli forces belonging to the Combat Engineering Corps, supported by troops from the Israeli army's Golani Brigade, made an incursion into Gaza in order to destroy part of the tunnel that was discovered last month. Then, an explosive device was detonated in the area, resulting in injuries of the Israeli soldiers. Subsequently, Israeli aircraft carried out bombings targeting the Palestinian militants, leading to four deaths, according to a statement issued by the Israeli army.
In a Nov. 1 press conference in Gaza City, Qassam Brigades spokesman “Abu Obeida” said that the Israeli forces carrying out the incursion fell into a "precise ambush," resulting in losses among their ranks after clashing with Qassam elements.
