Palestinian security forces loyal to Hamas patrol near the border between Egypt and Gaza, in the southern Gaza Strip January 14, 2018. REUTERS/Ibraheem Abu Mustafa.

Two IDF soldiers seriously wounded by an explosive device on the border with the Gaza Strip are improving after being treated overnight at the Soroka Hospital in Beersheva.

Two other soldiers were also lightly wounded in the incident.

According to the Hebrew news site Mako, one of the soldiers who suffered serious wounds has shown considerable improvement.

Doctor Uri Galanta, chief of the intensive care unit at Soroka, said the soldier “suffered a serious wound in the hand and other wounds in his limbs. He was operated on overnight and moved to the intensive care unit afterwards. His condition stabilized, and he has regained consciousness and is breathing on his own.”

The mother of the unit commander also spoke to Mako, saying, “I was in Migdal HaEmek and he called me and told me he was wounded. This isn’t the first time we’re dealing with someone wounded, our oldest son was wounded during his service, so we’re already experienced. He was very lucky, but the most important thing is he’s okay. He was supposed to finish his service in another week and then begin his studies.”

The explosion took place on Saturday afternoon. The terrorists apparently used a flag tied to the border fence to draw in the IDF unit. The explosive device, which was connected to the flag, then detonated as the soldiers were examining it.

IDF spokesman Ronen Manelis called the explosion “an extremely serious terror incident that could undermine stability in the area.”

Israel responded to the explosion with tank fire. Hamas then fired a rocket that struck a family’s home in the Sha’ar Hanegev area.

The rocket did not explode and no one was injured.

In response, the IDF attacked 18 targets belonging to the terror group Hamas, which controls the Strip.