Explosive device planted along Israel-Gaza border. Photo: IDF.

An Israel Defense Forces company commander was seriously wounded on Tuesday when an explosive device detonated along the border fence in central Gaza, near the Kissufim crossing, the IDF said.

According to the report, the officer opened a gate as part of a routine checkup to ensure there were no explosives or terrorists along the border, and precisely then the device was detonated. There were no exchanges of fire following the blast.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a grave warning following the border incident, saying that “we are in the midst of a challenging battle against a global network of organized terror, from Iran through messengers to Gaza. We attack them before they attack us, and after they attack us.”

“Today an IDF soldier was hurt, and we will retaliate with full force,” the prime minister vowed.

The wounded officer was evacuated to Soroka Hospital in Beersheba, where his condition was initially classified as moderate, but rapidly deteriorated.