WhatsappThe IDF eliminated 3 top Islamic Jihad leaders in the Gaza Strip overnight in an amazing operation – dubbed “Shield and Arrow.” While the operation is not over with yet, its launch was a major success.
“This morning, the State of Israel carried out a decisive and justified action. In Operation Shield and Arrow, the IDF eliminated the senior leaders of the Islamic Jihad in Gaza. They are responsible for launching the rockets last week and directing many terrorist operations in Judea and Samaria,” Netanyahu began.
He added, “In addition to this, we attacked the central terrorist infrastructure of Islamic Jihad in Gaza, I am speaking first and foremost about the destruction of weapons factories, ammunition and rockets. Already a week ago, against the background of the missile attack on the Gaza periphery communities, I, together with the Minister of Defense, ordered our forces to strike the leaders of the terrorists who were responsible for the shooting.”
“I understand very well the desire to immediately harm those who harm us, it is understandable and natural. But it has already been said that ‘For by wise counsel shall you make war.’ And this is how we act, we will always act against those who seek to take our lives, and we do it on our own terms – at a time and place of our choosing. Countermeasures became possible after a brilliant intelligence effort. We reached them at the same time in their hiding places. We make every effort to avoid harming the uninvolved. This is precisely the difference between us and our enemy, they seek to harm the innocent first on purpose, while we do everything to prevent this,” Netanyahu said.
“While we deplore any harm to civilians, they celebrate any harm to small children, women and men who have no part in the war effort. Our principle is clear, whoever harms us, we harm him. We are in the midst of a campaign, in the coming days we will all be required to be strong and resilient. A week ago, when we made the decision on the operation, I ordered, together with the Minister of Defense, the security forces to prepare for any scenario of escalation, and possibly more than one. Any escalation will be met with a crushing response,” Netanyahu said.
In response to. the increased chances that Operation Shield and Arrow will escalate, Tel Aviv, , Ramat Gan, and Givataiim have decided to open up their public shelters. They join hundreds of communities across southern Israel that have done so. In addition, Defense Minister Gallant has called up 10,000 reservists.
