IDF Chief of Staff Maj. Gen. Benjamin Gantz's Photo: IDF.

Early on Thursday, the Israeli military foiled an attempt by Palestinian terrorists to plant an explosive device along the border with Gaza and Israel.

“A short while ago, IDF soldiers targeted a terrorist squad that was planting an explosive device near the security fence in the northern Gaza Strip,” the IDF said.

According to Palestinian reports, 3 men were killed in the Israeli strike, which followed an incident on Wednesday night where 4 Palestinians were killed by Israeli forces as they attempted to fire rockets into Southern Israel.

Separately on Thursday, Israeli media reports that an interview given by IDF Chief of Staff Benny Gantz to the veterans affairs magazine “Warrior” issues strong language towards Hamas, Hezbollah, and other groups in the region geared towards Israel’s destruction.

“I would not recommend trying our power, it will hurt,” Gantz told the magazine.  “If war is forced upon us , it will be a waste of time for our neighbors. We will be much stronger than them.”