On Sunday evening, an IDF soldier was injured at the Gaza border when an improvised explosive device (IED) was detonated. The incident took place as hundreds of Gazans rioted and attacked IDF forces stationed along the border fence.

The rioters threw rocks, explosives, and grenades at Israeli soldiers with the intent to injure or kill them.

An IDF spokesperson reported: “Over the last hour, a violent riot was instigated in the northern Gaza Strip, during which dozens of rioters hurled explosive devices and rolled burning tires at IDF soldiers and the security fence.”

Initial reports say that the soldier was moderately injured.

The soldier was treated at the scene by IDF medical personnel before he was evacuated to Soroka Medical Center in Beer Sheva.

“During the riot, an IDF soldier was injured after what appears to have been an explosive device that was hurled at him exploded,” the IDF spokesperson added. “The soldier was evacuated to the hospital for medical treatment.”

BREAKING: IDF soldier injured when an explosive device was thrown during Gaza riots on Israel’s border fence. pic.twitter.com/S3hWd872da

— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) February 17, 2019

It was later reported that IDF tanks opened fire on Hamas positions in the Gaza Strip in retaliation for the bomb attack.

“IDF tanks just struck two Hamas military posts in Gaza in response to the explosive device thrown during tonight’s Gaza riots that left an IDF soldier injured,” the IDF spokesperson said.

IDF tanks just struck two Hamas military posts in Gaza in response to the explosive device thrown during tonight’s Gaza riots that left an IDF soldier injured.

— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) February 17, 2019

Meanwhile, the Hamas-run gaza Health Ministry reports that 12 Palestinians were injured by Israeli gunfire.

(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)