The Israel Defense Forces on Monday released footage of a Hamas fighter throwing down a grenade and lunging at a soldier with a knife before a soldier shoots him dead.
Deadly clashes between IDF paratroopers and Hamas fighters in southern Gaza Strip, Times of Israel report. (Related: Large crowds protest in Gaza to speak out against Hamas despite possibility of violent backlash)
The clip begins with soldiers firing at an unknown off-screen target, before a grenade suddenly explodes nearby.
Great footage of eliminating enemies from behind. 💪🏻pic.twitter.com/QGZujRw6ju
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The camera then changes to a figure charging towards the soldiers with what appears to be a knife. The soldiers immediately opened up on the man after he fell to the ground and fired several shots into the man. I heard one of the soldiers curse before asking. [the Hamas fighter] come from? “That's where it comes from,'' the soldier with the camera answered, pointing to the mound of dirt where the figure had appeared.
The Israel Defense Forces reported that the Hamas operative was carrying another grenade on his person when he was killed, and that no soldiers of their own were injured in the exchange, according to the Times of Israel.
The edited exchange blurs out the Hamas fighter and points out the moment the grenade exploded. It also includes a clear photo of a knife used by Hamas militants, which was not shown in the clip.
The Israel Defense Forces released footage of the incident in southern Gaza over the weekend. In the incident, Hamas operatives threw grenades and charged at troops with knives.
The clip shows soldiers from a paratrooper brigade firing at an unknown target during an operation near their home base. pic.twitter.com/diryN1rwoE
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The exchange took place near the home of Hamas brigade commander Khan Younis, The Times of Israel reported. Khan Yunis is the scene of intense fighting between the Israel Defense Forces and Hamas. The IDF suspects that senior Hamas leadership, including Chief Yahya Sinwar, may be hiding under Khan Yunis' maze of vast tunnel networks.
