IDF says Hamas fired RPG at building, then tank, killing 21 soldiers preparing demolition

According to new details from the IDF’s investigation of yesterday’s blast in central Gaza, killing 21 soldiers, the Hamas operatives fired an RPG missile at a building while hiding in a nearby plantation.

Two buildings, some 600 meters from the Israeli border, had been rigged up with around 20 mines for detonation. The RPG fire from a few dozen meters away likely set off the mines, causing the structures to collapse and killing 19 soldiers inside and near them.

An IDF tank guarding the operation spotted the Hamas operatives and was about to return fire, but before managing to do so, the gunmen fired another RPG, hitting the tank and killing two troops.

The Hamas cell apparently fled following the attack.

The IDF is probing the security of such operations, as well as the number of troops close to and inside buildings that are intended to be demolished.

Source » timesofisrael.com