Terrorists have fired upon a civilian Israeli bus in the southern part of the country and fired anti-tank artillery from Egypt, killing several. Information is still coming.
This from Haaretz:
Five people were killed and dozens were wounded Thursday in a series of terrorist attacks on Israeli targets approximately 20 kilometers north of the southern city of Eilat, close to the border with Egypt.
Shortly afterward, IDF forces rushed to the scene and were faced with several explosive devices that were detonated alongside an IDF vehicle.
Simultaneously, an anti-tank missile was fired from Egypt on a private vehicle, and several mortar shells were also fired into Israel.
The IDF Spokesman reported that two to four terrorists were killed during the clashes.
According to reports, the terrorists in the car opened fire at the Egged bus, which carried a significant number of soldiers leaving their bases for the weekend.
I'm gathering information...more to come.
I must go offline for a bit, so if there is information gathered, please add in the comments.
This violence, if it is coming from Hamas, comes at a time when militants are trying to do whatever they can to derail any chance of unity between the PA and Hamas (which has already faltered), are trying to do whatever they can to derail the PA's U.N. bid in September, and are trying to do what they can to incite a military response from the IDF as a way to gain credibility through security concerns.
It's a tragic game both sides sometimes play (Israel's hawkish right and Palestine's militant elements), and with September around the corner, I fear this may increase.
Author's Note: Thanks for those offering more information in the comments. I've been in meetings all morning and have not had time to review exactly what is going on, or what happened. However, it's clear Israel is now responding with force, and that this is going to get very serious.
I really fear that this violence -- and it's something I've feared would happen -- is going to continue and worsen, given that (in my view) both Hamas and the Israeli right, or those who align with Netanyahu, have much to gain from the tragedy that's unfolding. Security concerns normally trump other discussions when they arise, in both societies, and I fear now will be no different. Whether this will affect the social protests in Israel and the PA's efforts at the U.N. is anyone's guess.
Right now, it's just tragedy. Again.
UPDATE 1: Social protest organizers have called off weekend rallies. The next shoe to drop will be the PA's UN bid, if this becomes a protracted engagement. I'm sick.
UPDATE 2: Israel's Channel 10 is reporting that the IDF's actions are not over yet, and this is most likely to broaden as nightfall approaches. This is almost unbearable to report on/follow.
My view: we are looking at the beginning of a possible protracted war, again. A war that will be fueled by those desperate for distractions from the positive movements happening on each side. Militants in Gaza (and Hamas) have given Netanyahu a blood-soaked gift, giving Israel's government permission now to turn its head away from social demands and respond. And Netanyahu is giving Hamas exactly what it wants: legitimization and distraction from the PA's U.N. attempt at statehood (which the PA has decided to do without Hamas).
Pure tragedy, on all levels.
I must go offline again. And do so with a heavy heart for all those who are losing their lives, on both sides, and for the larger reverberations that this violence will create.
UPDATE 3: Israel's protest organizers have decided to hold this weekend's rallies in defiance of calls from government for them to cease. They will hold candle-light vigils and encourage discussions in an attempt to not allow violence to paralyze everyone. I will write more on this later .