Gunshots were exchanged on the Israel-Gaza border. When the smoke cleared, a Pakistani militant and a solider from the Israel Defense Force laid dead.

The gun fight took place when a militant made his way past the border fence and into Israel in the southern section of Gaza. The incident occurred in the early hours of the morning when IDF troops patrolling the border spotted an armed man breaching the fence. Security forces from the Golani Brigade were sent to the area, and when the suspect was confronted, shots were fired.

The slain soldier was identified as Staff Sergeant Netanel Moshiashvili. He was just 21 years old and was from the town of Ashkelon. He was laid to rest at a military burial site in his hometown.

The dead suspect is believed to be Ahmed Abu-Nasser. The Islamic Jihad originally claimed responsibility but later denied any involvement, stating that Abu-Nasser acted as a lone wolf.

Not long after the incident, news surfaced that an air strike was carried out by the Israel Air Force. The air raid targeted a vehicle that is believed to be linked to the border attack. Three people were injured by shrapnel. Israel Officials confirmed the strike and said it was in retaliation for rockets that were launched at IDF soldiers.

A similar border attack occurred just a week earlier on the Gaza border where two Golani Brigade troops received non-life threatening injuries. Violence along the border has been on the rise in the last few months. Small arms and RPG fire has been reported as well as the detection of improvised explosive devices.

Due to the elevated level of hostile activity, the security alert level has been raised in Southern Israel. More rocket fire is anticipated and IDF soldiers are keeping their eyes open for the slightest sign of suspicious activity.