So far (14:00) the reporting isn't precise and there are still firefights close to the Egyptian border. What is known:
- A bus on the route to Eilat came under small caliber fire from 3 terrorists. As a result, there are 5 or 6 lightly wounded.
- An anti-tank missile was launched at another bus passing in the area, there are several passengers killed and several wounded.
- A car (whether private or military) activated an explosive device. Several wounded and killed.
- The initial confused reporting about Egyptian army shooting at the bus - mistake.
Update 14:30: 5 dead in the car that was hit by the explosive device.
Update 15:20: The total number of wounded as reported now: 29. The firefights, apparently, are over, however IDF and police units are still in pursuit.
Update 15:45: The known number of terrorists killed: seven.
Update 16:00: Six Israelis dead - so far. On the bus that came under small caliber fire there were 9 wounded and not "five or six" as reported earlier, one of them critically. Egypt denies that the terrorists came in from its territory (probably implying some supernatural transportation phenomenon).
The driver of that first bus insists that he has seen two Egyptian soldiers shooting at his bus from the border. Both IDF and Egyptian army deny. Could be the terrorists used Egyptian uniform - nothing new under the sun.
Update 16:20: Two kids aged 4 and 6 between the victims. Not confirmed officially yet.
According to "defense sources" the current estimates are that the attacks were perpetrated by a group of up to 20 terrorists that used tunnels between Gaza and Egypt and then crossed the Israel border. Hamas may not have been involved, the chief suspect is currently the so called World Jihad faction, affiliated with Al Qaeda (for what worth this affiliation may be).
Update 16:30: The number of victims is seven now. Two women among them No confirmation about two kids. Searches by IDF and police in the area continue.
Update 18:00: Egyptian army reports on killing two terrorists. Unconfirmed by IDF.
The number of Israeli victims is back to six. The seventh body possibly a dead terrorist.
Update 18:30: No updates so far, on the radio the usual talking heads are busy with the issue of the Egypt/Israel border fence. As usual, everyone is blaming everyone else in the delays.
Update 18:45: Interview with Ehud Barack and an IDF commander (Gen. Tal Russo). Apparently the number of Israelis killed is 7: 6 citizens and one soldier.
The picture of terrorists participating in the events: three, armed by rifles, explosive belts and explosive charges (or grenades) shot at the buses. Later one of them blew self up, the other two were killed by IDF. Two additional terrorists sniped from the border, later were shot by IDF. Another two shot by Egyptians, so it's confirmed.
Barack mentioned the Gazan so called "Popular Resistance Committees (PRC)". While Barack gave his overview, new reports of new shooting in the area come in.
Meanwhile, reports from Gaza on IDF attack are coming in too. Part of them mention jets, part of them UAVs, but apparently a house in Rafiach (Rafah) - the city on the Gazan Egyptian border, center of weapon and goods smuggling from Sinai - blew up. Apparently, a commander in PRC was killed.
Update 19:05: There was a new firefight on the border indeed. One IDF soldier wounded, his condition defined as serious. Unclear who initiated the firefight and why. The firefight still goes on.
CoS confirmed the attack on Rafah. Two senior figures of PRC were killed
Update 20:25: The two operational Iron Dome systems are being relocated to cope with expected rocket attacks from Gaza. A stormy night is expected.
