Two Palestinian terrorists attempted to cross the border into Israel from the Gaza strip Friday afternoon and were killed by IDF forces, Israel Radio reported.

The IDF sustained no casualties in the incident, which occurred near Kibbutz Nirim on the border with Gaza. An IDF scouting unit identified the infiltration and a firefight erupted with IDF units called to the area.

Several neighboring communities were placed under security alert due to the risk of additional infiltrations, and IDF helicopters arrived to assist the search.

As the firefight continued unabated, the IDF began a mortar bombardment of the target area. The Palestinians answered back with mortar fire of their own and the altercation was still going on as of 4 p.m. Friday.

The incident follows the Thursday Israeli Air Force strike on three border tunnels in Gaza in response to a Kassam missile launched at Israel that day.