The Israeli army announced the killing of 3 leaders of the Islamic Jihad movement in raids on the Gaza Strip early this morning, Tuesday. In an official statement, the Israeli army clarified the assassination of the commander of the northern region in the Jihad, Khalil al-Bahtimi, who was behind the firing of rockets toward the areas surrounding the Gaza Strip during the past months. And the assassination of the Secretary of the Military Council of the Al-Quds Brigades, Jihad Ghanem, in addition to the assassination of Tariq Ezz El-Din, who was responsible for directing a number of operations in the West Bank, according to the statement. He said that the bombing of Gaza was a joint operation with the Israeli Shin Bet.
The Israeli army said that 40 Israeli planes participated in the Gaza raids, noting that it has monitored the leaders of the Islamic Jihad since last Ramadan.
Al-Arabiya and Al-Hadath correspondents reported that Israel is preparing on all fronts in anticipation of attacks after the Gaza operation.
Later, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said: “We will remain ready for all scenarios in Gaza, including a prolonged war.”
Al-Arabiya and Al-Hadath sources said that the Palestinian factions informed Egypt that they would respond to the Israeli attacks on Gaza, adding that Egypt had opened a direct line of communication with Israel and the Palestinian factions for calm. Our sources added that Cairo warned Israel a week ago of operations targeting the leaders of the Palestinian factions, while the Israeli “Channel 12” reported that Tel Aviv is making contacts with Egypt and UNIFIL to bring calm on the fronts of Gaza and Lebanon.
And before that, the Al-Arabiya and Al-Hadath correspondent reported that the Israeli army called the assassination of the leaders of the jihad and the attack on the Strip a “shield and arrow”, while the Israeli Minister of Defense declared a state of emergency on the home front and asked the settlers to stay 40 kilometers away from the border of the Strip. Gaza, and stay near the shelters.
Victims, including women and children
In turn, the Palestinian Ministry of Health announced that the death toll had risen to 13, including 4 children and 4 women, while 20 others were injured as a result of the bombing. Medical sources reported that 5 Palestinian civilians were among the victims of the Israeli raids on Gaza.
And while the Islamic Jihad movement said that it would respond to the Israeli strikes, and held Israel fully responsible for what it described as a “terrorist massacre“, which it confirmed constituted a “serious violation” of the cease-fire, Al-Arabiya and Al-Hadath sources indicated that the Israeli air force continues its raids. On different areas of the Gaza Strip. Meanwhile, the media office in Gaza announced the suspension of studies and working hours in the Strip.
