Tel Aviv, Aug. 20 -- Israeli forces successfully thwarted a terrorist attack on a military shelter in Khan Yunis, southern Gaza, on Tuesday morning, preventing what officials said could have become a major hostage situation.

Around 9 am, approximately 15 armed terrorists emerged from a tunnel shaft just meters from an outpost manned by soldiers from Sayeret Haruv, an elite reconnaissance unit. The attackers opened fire with machine guns and anti-tank weapons, reportedly aiming to infiltrate the position and capture soldiers.

Three Israeli soldiers were wounded in the clash, one moderately and two lightly, as troops inside quickly returned fire. During the exchange, about nine attackers were killed, while the others retreated. Israeli fo...