5 IDF Soldiers Wounded After Palestinian Terrorists Ambush Troops in Southern Gaza

Latest Developments

• Ambush in the South: Five IDF soldiers were wounded, including one seriously, when Palestinian terrorists emerged from a tunnel in the southern Gaza city of Rafah on December 3 and opened fire on troops. During the incident, which the IDF labeled a “ceasefire violation,” at least two terrorists fired at a group of soldiers belonging to the Sayeret Golani reconnaissance infantry unit. Three soldiers from the unit were wounded, along with two additional soldiers from the Gaza Division. The terrorists managed to fire a rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) at a nearby armored vehicle during the incident, in which one of the Palestinian assailants was eliminated while the other managed to flee.
• Netanyahu Says Attacks Won’t be Tolerated: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to respond to the attack and called an urgent meeting of top Israeli defense officials. “The Hamas terror organization continues to violate the ceasefire agreement and carries out terror attacks against our forces,” Netanyahu stated. “Our policy is clear: Israel will not tolerate attacks on IDF soldiers and will respond accordingly.
• Israel Responds With Strikes: Later in the day, Israel carried out at least one targeted airstrike in Gaza against “a terrorist in the Hamas terror organization.” Palestinian media reported that six people were killed in a targeted strike in Khan Younis. The attack targeted a senior Hamas figure in the Rafah battalion, according to Israel’s army radio.

FDD Expert Response

“The attack today in Rafah was the third incident since the implementation of the ceasefire on October 10. Each instance represents a grave violation of the ceasefire and a threat to its sustainability. The United States should compel mediators like Qatar and Turkey to pressure the remaining Hamas terrorists trapped in the Rafah tunnels to lay down their weapons and surrender, as stipulated by the terms of the truce.” — Samuel Ben-Ur, Research Analyst

“This ambush is yet another reminder of why Hamas cannot have a role in post-war Gaza. The terrorist group has made clear it is unwilling to disarm and has shown no intention of relinquishing power. Unless this core issue is addressed, the sustainability of the ceasefire will remain at serious risk.” — Ahmad Sharawi, Research Analyst

FDD Background and Analysis

“Israel Set To Open Rafah Crossing To Allow Palestinians To Exit Gaza,” FDD Flash Brief

“Terrorist uses aid route to fire at Israeli troops; IDF reports 14 Gaza ceasefire violations from November 22 to 26,” by Samuel Ben-Ur and Aaron Goren

“Beit Hanoun’s Lesson for Achieving Victory in Gaza,” by Mark Dubowitz

“Hamas is failing Trump’s cease-fire plan — and ‘the future’ of the Middle East is paying the price,” by Jonathan Schanzer