Israel kills 3 senior Islamic Jihad members in wide-scale Gaza military operation

Israel launched a wide-scale military operation against Islamic Jihad in Gaza overnight, killing at least 13 Palestinians, including three senior members of the group. 

“Operation Shield and Arrow” targeted the homes of three commanders of Islamic Jihad’s military wing; Khalil Bahitini, senior operational officer and the commander of the Northern Gaza Division; Tarek Az Aldin, who directed operations in Judea and Samaria from Gaza; and Jahed Ahnam, Secretary of Cooperation in Gaza.

According to IDF, 40 aircrafts targeted three different locations in Gaza simultaneously. According to the Palestinian Health Ministry, women and children were also killed in the attacks.

A Russian citizen, as well as his wife and child, were also killed in the attack, according to Russia’s representative in Ramallah. Israel is yet to comment on civilian deaths.

The operation also struck 10 weapon manufacturing sites, weapons warehouses, rocket productions and military compounds.

“Overnight, the IDF and ISA (Shin Bet) conducted a precise operation against the leadership of the Islamic Jihad terror organisation in Gaza. The State of Israel seeks stability in the region, while the Iranian-funded terror group launches attacks. At the same time, it harms its own people – the Palestinian residents of Gaza,” Defence Minister Yoav Gallant said.

Israel deliberately tried to avoid hitting Hamas to avoid provoking a response from the Gaza ruler. Hamas issued a statement early Tuesday morning, saying Israel made a “mistake” and that it will “pay the price” for the military operation. “The resistance is unified,” Hamas said.

Islamic Jihad spokesman struck a similar tone, saying that “the resistance forces will operate from the point that they stopped in the previous campaign. The forces have set rules of engagement in combat with the enemy. All possible responses to the crimes of the occupation are on the table.”

In anticipation of rocket firing from Gaza, classes were cancelled in schools near the border while some roads adjacent to the Strip were closed as well.

Right-wing lawmakers applauded the government’s decision to hit Islamic Jihad after fuming over last week’s “weak” response to over 100 rockets fired from Gaza within 24 hours.

Jewish Power party was particularly critical of last week’s military response, deciding to stay away from Knesset votes until “right-wing” policies were put in place.

“I congratulate the prime minister on the proactive operation in Gaza. It’s a good start, the time has come to change our policy in Gaza,” National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir said.

Finance Minister Smotrich also applauded the operation, saying: “Israel’s citizens are in good hands and anyone who harms us should know they will not be forgiven. At the right time and timing.”

Opposition Leader Yair Lapid said he gives his “support to the security forces for this operation against the Islamic Jihad in Gaza.”

“This morning, terror groups in Gaza know that the intelligence community and the security forces are following their every move and every step and the score will be settled,” Lapid said.

Egypt, however, condemned the attack, warning that it could escalate the already fragile situation between Israel and Gaza.

As of 11:30, about five hours after the airstrikes in Gaza, Islamic Jihad was yet to respond.