IDF soldier, Staff Sergeant Netanel Moshiashvili, 21, from the city of Ashkelon, was killed this morning by terrorist fire in the Gaza Strip border. Photo: IDF.

Early this morning, and under heavy fog, a Gaza based terrorist cut through the border fence with Israel, and when the Israeli military responded, he opened fire on them, killing Staff-Sergeant Netanel Moshiashvili.

The gunman, Ahmed abu Nasser, was killed in the ensuing firefight between himself and IDF forces.

“The IDF will not tolerate any attempt to harm Israeli civilians or IDF soldiers, and will operate against anyone who uses terror against the State of Israel,” the military said in a statement.

“The Hamas terror organization is solely responsible for any terrorist activity emanating from the Gaza Strip.”

Moshiashvili served in the Golani Brigade, which is operating in southern Israel to protect civilians along the border with Gaza.  Some reports suggested Nasser’s intent was to kidnap an IDF soldier, something the Israeli military is keeping a close eye on this year, with at least 20 attempts having occurred since January.

“We are in a state of constant fighting and our mission is to protect the residents, and we do that with resolve and determination,” said Col. Tal Hermoni, commander of the Gaza Division’s Southern Brigade.

Following the deadly attack this morning, Palestinian media outlets reported that Israeli helicopters struck numerous targets in southern Gaza.