Iron Dome intercepts a Gaza rocket near the border (Photo: AFP)
Jack Cohen – Israel Under Rocket Attack
Last night the IDF carried out a targeted killing in Gaza and eliminated Baha Abu al-Ata, the Chief of the Palestine Islamic Jihad (PIJ) al Quds force. This force is supported and trained by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), the military wing of the Iranian Government. Although the PIJ is Sunni, nevertheless they accept the control of Shia Iran.
Why did Israel want to remove the Head of Islamic jihad in Gaza? Simply because PIJ did not recognize the ceasefire arrived at between Israel and Hamas with Egyptian mediation, and at Iran’s behest they continued firing rockets into Israel and digging tunnels to attack Israel. Over time PIJ has become more powerful with Iranian support, and Hamas apparently is unable to stop them from breaking the ceasefire. Although Israel usually blames the party that controls the territory from where attacks occur, in this case, it was clear who was responsible.
Later the IDF also destroyed a house in Damascus near the Lebanese Embassy, which was the home of Akram al-Azouri, the Deputy Head of PIJ in Syria. Several people were killed, but it is not known at this point whether Azouri was among them. The Syrian regime in alliance with Iran allows PIJ free activity in Syria. This was a warning from Israel that Syria is not immune from attack if it hosts an active terrorist organization that targets Israel. These counter-attacks were recommended by the Chief of Staff of the IDF and approved at the highest level by the Prime Minister and Defense Minister of Israel,
Following the attack, volleys of unguided rockets were shot at Israel from Gaza, up to now 50 rockets have been fired. Of these some 95% were intercepted by the Iron Dome system, but several got through and a house was hit in Sderot and damage was also done in Ashdod up the coast. Places as far away as Tel Aviv and Rishon-le-Zion were also targeted. As a result of the attacks, all schools and businesses in southern Israel were closed. I received a call at 8 am telling me not to go for my scheduled blood test this morning. Also, the University was closed and public transport was interrupted. Note that the Home Defense Ministry orders these responses in order to avoid civilian casualties. No rockets have fallen on Beer Sheva as far as I know, but I am writing this from inside my shelter (a reinforced concrete room required in all new houses).
It is clear that even without an active government Israel will not tolerate continued deadly attacks against its citizens.
