An explosion took place Tuesday morning near the border fence by the northern Gaza Strip. An initial IDF probe revealed that the explosion was the result of a bomb planted on a cart harnessed to a donkey. The donkey was killed in the blast.

The incident took place dozens of meters from the border fence. One estimate is that the incident was an attempt by gunmen to lure forces to the site and activate the bomb, as the cart was unmanned.

The IDF is also looking into how the device was activated, and whether those behind its detonation planned to activate it at the time. Besides the donkey, no one was injured and no damage was caused.

Military sources noted on Tuesday that terror organizations in the past have attempted to carry out terror attacks in various ways, including using animals. Last year, the military thwarted an attempt by Gaza gunmen who used booby-trapped horses loaded with explosive devices and mines.

Meanwhile, later Tuesday, two mortar shells were fired at Israel. No one was injured.

Last weekend saw an escalation on the southern border. On Friday, two terrorists trying to infiltrate into Israel were killed by IDF forces. Hours later, an IDF soldier was moderately injured from Palestinian sniper fire.