IDF troops were patrolling an area near the security fence in the Gaza Strip, the military tweeted. It is still unclear if the explosion resulted in any casualties. In response, the IDF used a tank to target an observation post in the area.

The shots were reportedly fired at a Hamas facility located east of the city of Khan Yunis, according to Israeli media.

The incident came amid increased tensions between Israelis and Palestinians, who are supported by Hamas. Protests gripped Palestinian territories after US President Donald Trump’s official recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.

On February 10, more than 50 Palestinian protesters were injured by Israeli forces, which used live ammunition to suppress the 10th ‘Friday of Rage’ rally. The latest major clash between the Israeli military and the Palestinian armed groups occurred in November when the IDF used tanks and jets to attack Hamas positions following the mortar shelling of an Israeli outpost by another militant group.

In October, the IDF also blew up a tunnel built by militants, which stretched from the Gaza Strip into Israel’s territory. The Palestinian groups then vowed retaliation for the move, which claimed the lives of six militants.

In mid-December, Israeli Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman said Tel Aviv would no longer play “ping-pong” by exchanging rocket attacks with the Palestinian militants. He also vowed to destroy all existing Palestinian tunnels using some “new technologies” invented by Israel.