IDF outpost bombing attack (December 2004)

The 2004 IDF outpost bombing attack was an integrated attack carried out on 12 December 2004 by a Palestinian militant squad of the Izz al-Din al-Qassam military wing of Hamas and the Fatah Hawks[1] (a military wing of Fatah) at an Israel Defense Forces outpost located on the border between the Gaza Strip and Egypt.

2004 IDF outpost bombing attack
Part of the Second Intifada militancy campaign

The attack site
LocationIDF outpost near the Philadelphi Route, Southern District, Israel
Date12 December 2004
Attack type
Bombing attack, Shooting attack
Deaths5 IDF soldiers (+ 2 attackers)
Injured6 IDF soldiers
PerpetratorsHamas[1] and Fatah[1] claimed joint responsibility

Five Bedouin IDF soldiers from the Desert Patrol Battalion were killed in the attack and six others were injured, and the outpost was totally destroyed. Two Palestinian militants were also killed during the attack.

Preparations for the attack

Long before the attack occurred, Palestinian militants drilled an 800 meters[1] long tunnel which began from a hidden location within Palestinian homes located near the security fence between the Gaza Strip and Egypt. From there the tunnel went under the border fence and reached a small Israeli military outpost located between the Gaza Strip and Egypt. The militants planted 1.5 metric tons explosives[1] directly below the outpost.

The attack

On Sunday, 12 December 2004, at c. 17:45 pm, the militants detonated two powerful explosions in two different locations, within a few minutes of each other. These explosions caused extensive damage and injured 11 soldiers.

Immediately after the explosions, two Palestinian militants stormed the outpost and began opening fire at the Israeli soldiers stationed at the outpost. The attackers managed to kill two IDF soldiers before they were killed themselves.[1]

Rescue Forces were summoned to the site assisted by helicopters, whom attempted to rescue the wounded. At this point a third explosion occurred within the outpost, which was an apparent attempt to get casualties among the rescue forces although it didn't cause any casualties or injuries.

Due to the continuous heavy barrage of mortar fire, the IDF rescue forces were only able to rescue the injured after a long while.

Five Bedouin IDF soldiers from the Desert Patrol Battalion were killed in the attack and six others were injured. Total destruction was caused to the outpost in the attack.

Victims

The perpetrators

Hamas and Fatah claimed joint responsibility for the attack.

Israel's reaction

References
  1. "BBC NEWS - Middle East - Five Israelis die in Gaza attack". Retrieved 14 December 2014.
  2. Sergeant Adham Shehadeh (in Hebrew)
  3. "NRG - " "". Retrieved 14 December 2014.
  4. Sergeant Sa'id Ghga (in Hebrew)
  5. Sergeant Aref Azbergh (in Hebrew)
  6. Sergeant Tareq al-Ziad (in Hebrew)
  7. "NRG -  : -". Retrieved 14 December 2014.

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