The Air Force spotted the Islamic Jihad terrorists on bicycles following the firing of the rocket, which apparently landed on the Gaza side of the separation/security fence. Islamic Jihad claimed that the terrorists were on their way to a mosque for early morning prayers.
Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu made it clear earlier the week that although Israel is not interested in escalating the battle against Gaza terror, “We will not hesitate to activate the strength of the IDF.”
Last week, the Air Force target rocket launchers in northern Gaza, where a was fired at Ashdod, a port city that is home to 200,000 residents. Another Grad was fired at Be’er Sheva, the “capital of the Negev,” causing extensive damage.
Following extensive IDF retaliatory attacks on Hamas and allied terrorists, Hamas said would declare a ceasefire if Israel did not take any more military actions against them. Previous truce declarations have been broken, sometimes almost immediately.
The Islamic Jihad and five other terrorist organizations said they would not agree to a ceasefire in Gaza, where Hamas has been responsible for all terrorist activity since ousting the rival Fatah movement four years and establishing a de facto government.
