IDF in bid to push back Qassam launch line

The Israel Defense Forces on Tuesday night expanded operations in the northern Gaza Strip and took up positions on the eastern outskirts of Jabalya refugee camp to try to prevent Qassam rockets being launched at Sderot. There was no intention at this point of entering the refugee camp itself.

On Wednesday morning, an Israel Air Force helicopter fired a missile at a target near the Gaza Strip town of Beit Hanoun, Palestinian witnesses said. Three Palestinians were lightly injured in the srike.

Troops exchanged fire with militants east of Jabalya on Wednesday. No injuries were reported.

IDF forces crossed Salah al-Din road ("the Tencher route") that connects Gaza City and the Erez crossing close to midnight Tuesday and continued several hundred meters westward. This is the first time in the IDF's month-long operations around the town of Beit Hanun that Operation Front Shield has advanced so far west.

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