Today (June 8) a group of Palestinian gunmen attempted to infiltrate the Israel - Gaza border and abduct Israeli soldiers. A group of ten militants opened fire on an Israel Defense Forces (IDF) patrol next to the Nahal Oz fuel terminal which is used to transport diesel and gasoline into the Gaza Strip. [1]

The attackers approached the security fence on the Israel-Gaza border with a number of trucks and horses laden with explosives. Some of the gunmen were wearing suicide bomb-belts and anti-tank missiles were also used in the attack. A number of the gunmen were killed when the IDF force returned fire. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack so far. [2]

An Israeli security official stated “These terrorists were armed with a huge quantity of explosives. They launched a combined attack, using mortars, and attempted to approach the border fence with booby trapped horses to harm our soldiers, before firing on our force.” [3]

Since Jan. 18, 2009, more than 8,798,000 gallons (40 million liters) of fuel has been transferred by Israel into Gaza through the Nahal Oz terminal. In addition, more than 320,000 tons of aid, including food, medical supplies, vaccines, veterinary medication and equipment for reconstruction of the electricity network has been transferred into Gaza through the Karni and Kerem Shalom goods crossings. [4]

In April 2008, militants from Islamic Jihad, the Popular Resistance Committees and the Fatah-affiliated Al-Aqsa Martyr Brigades attacked the Nahal Oz crossing and shot dead two civilian workers at the terminal. This was just one in a sustained campaign of militant attacks against the Israel-Gaza goods crossings during 2008 (see timeline below). [5] 

List of Terrorist Attacks on Gaza Crossings in 2008

Aug. 2: Sniper and mortar fire are directed at the Nahal Oz crossing by Hamas operatives. [6]

July 13: Two mortars are fired at Kibbutz Nahal Oz, which is approximately 800 meters from the fuel crossing. [7]

July 8: A mortar shell fired from the Gaza Strip lands in Kibbutz Ein Hashlosha. [8] 

July 7: Two mortar shells fired from Gaza fall close to the Karni goods crossing and Kibbutz Nahal Oz.. [9]

July 6: Palestinian militants open fire on agricultural farmers working close to the Nahal Oz crossing. [10]

April 19: The Kerem Shalom goods crossing is blown up by two car bombs (a third is prevented from blowing up by IDF forces) wounding 13 IDF soldiers. Fifteen mortar shells are also fired at the crossing during the attack. [11]

April 13: Five mortar shells are fired at the Kerem Shalom goods crossing. [12]

April 9: A well-coordinated attack is staged against the Nahal Oz fuel terminal. Numerous mortar shells are fired at the crossing after which terrorists infiltrated the installation and shot dead two civilian workers. Islamic Jihad, the Popular Resistance Committees and the Al-Aqsa Martyr Brigades claim joint responsibility for the attack. [13]

March 23: Two mortar shells fall in close proximity to the Sufa goods crossing. [14]

Feb. 29: A mortar shell falls next to the Sufa goods crossing. [15]

Feb. 18: Two rockets land near Kibbutz Nahal Oz, which is approximately 800 meters from the fuel crossing. [16]

Feb. 12: Mortar shells are fired near Nahal Oz fuel terminal. [17]

Feb. 6: A Mortar shell is fired at the Sufa goods crossing, forcing it to close down. [18]

Jan. 18: Eight mortar shells are fired at the Sufa Crossing. [19]

Jan. 12: A Qassam rocket falls near to the Erez pedestrian crossing. [20] 

Jan. 7: Islamic Jihad attempts a suicide-bombing of the Erez pedestrian crossing. Two bombers approach Erez, including a female attacker. The woman detonated her explosives near the crossing but failed to cause any injuries or damage. [21]

Jan. 1: Five mortars are fired at Sufa goods crossing. [22]