Missile fired at IDF tank thwarted by new shield

Terrorists fire RPG at IDF tank near Khan Younis; new Trophy system prevents hit; no injuries on Israeli side; Palestinians say warplanes, choppers seen above city

Elior Levy|Published: 03.01.11 , 17:10

An RPG was fired at an IDF tank travelling east towards the city of Khan Younis in Gaza Tuesday afternoon. Soldiers returned fire, and the Palestinians claim one person was injured from artillery fire in the area.

The anti-tank missile that was fired towards the tank was thwarted by the Trophy missile protection system, which was used for the first time during operational activity. The missile exploded at a large distance from the tank, preventing damage, the army said.

Eyewitnesses said the RPG hit the tank and set it on fire. The IDF confirmed an attack on a force patrolling the border, but said the incident did not result in any injuries or damage.

According to the Palestinians, IDF forces opened fire on the terror cell behind the RPG attack. Israeli warplanes and helicopters were seen circling above Khan Younis, sources in Gaza said.

The spokesman for Gaza's rescue services, Adham Abu Selmiya, said one person was injured from artillery fire targeting the terror cell east of Khan Younis. The injured man was evacuated to a hospital in Deir el-Balah.

No one claimed responsibility for the RPG attack, but the Ali Abu Mustafa Brigades, the armed wing of the Popular Front for Liberation of Palestine, said it had fired three mortars towards Israel shortly before the RPG attack from the same area. The IDF said it did not know of any mortar fire towards Israel.

Attacks involving anti-tank fire against IDF soldiers are relatively scarce, as Palestinian terrorists focus mostly on planting explosives along the security fence separating Israel from Hamas-ruled Gaza.

The IDF has launched a number of strikes in Gaza over the past few days in response to the continued rocket fire emanating from the Strip.

Yoav Zitun contributed to the report