Hamas confirmed the death of Muaa'in Abu Hamduna, Ynetnews reported. He was in a vehicle carrying gunmen to Rafah, the Israeli military said.

The attack on the Kerem Shalom goods crossing and an attempted attack on the Kissufim crossing were planned to mark the beginning of the Jewish festival of Passover, Hamas said. While no one was killed, 13 Israeli soldiers were wounded by car bombs at Kerem Shalom.

"The very fact that Hamas managed to get four vehicles past Israel's defenses and detonate two of them signifies a great success," said Abu Obeida, a spokesman for Hamas' military wing.