The “Shield and Arrow” operation that began with the elimination of the three senior members of the Islamic Jihad five days ago continues, and at this stage Israeli officials say that there are difficulties in the ceasefire negotiations despite the Egyptian and international pressure. A security official claimed: “There is pressure from the Egyptians towards the jihad, but at the moment there is an impasse. Ziad Nachala, GAP Secretary General, operates in a detached manner from the organization’s leadership in Gaza.’
Operation “Shield and Arrow” | ongoing updates
Operation “Shield and Arrow”: What is Israel trying to achieve in the Gaza Strip? | Tal Lev Ram
Success against the jihad? “The operation leaves us with big strategic questions”
The elimination of the sixth GAP senior Ayad Al Hosni Yesterday was considered another operational achievement, and this after in the afternoon the GAP from Gaza also fired rockets towards the Judean Mountains when two interceptions were carried out, one of which was decided to be carried out again with the David slingshot system. El Hosni is also recognized as a central figure in the GAP for many years, the security establishment says that he is responsible for the operations file of the terrorist organization and following the assassination of the commander of the northern area Khalil Salah Al-Bahtini He was appointed to replace him immediately afterwards.
The IDF confirmed: Suchel is in charge of the Islamic Jihad operations file (photo: IDF spokesman)
IDF spokesman Lt. Col Daniel Hagari He claimed in a conversation with military reporters that Al Hosni until he was killed remained the most significant figure for the GAP in the management of combat, coordination and synchronization within the Strip, but also in connection with abroad. In the assassination of El Hosni, two more of his assistants who were with him were killed in the attack that was made possible after a long surveillance carried out in an effort to close a circle on him and find the convenient operational opportunity to hit him while reducing the danger of harming those not involved.
In addition to the targeted assassinations, the IDF is also focusing its efforts on damaging the apartments and buildings from which the GAP conducts the fighting against Israel. Many times these houses are also the residential apartments of the seniors who are in the heart of the population and therefore before the Air Force bombards the buildings and knocks them down, while using the practices known as “knock on the roof” in order to get out the citizens who are in the buildings.
--IDF attack in the Gaza Strip (Photo: REUTERS/Suhaib Salem)
During the day (Saturday) the Air Force attacked operational headquarters, which the IDF says are used by the GAP terrorist organization to coordinate rocket fire from the north of the Gaza Strip. In addition, fighter jets and other aircraft attacked armed launchers of rockets and mortars, from which the IDF identified a shot that had been fired at Israel in recent days. The IDF added that two of the rocket launchers that were attacked in the Zeytun neighborhood of Gaza were located very close to a school.
According to IDF intelligence, one of the headquarters that was attacked in Gaza during the night between Friday and Saturday was used by Muhammad Abu Alata, a senior member of the GAP’s rocket unit and the brother of Baha Abu Alata who was killed by Israel in Operation Black Belt.
As of eight o’clock in the morning on Saturday, 325 terrorist targets were attacked in the Gaza Strip, 1099 rockets and mortar bombs were launched at Israel, of which 865 crossed into Israeli territory and 202 exploded in the Gaza Strip. A total of 340 interceptions were carried out since the beginning of the operation. However, at the end of the week there was a relative decrease in the scope of the shooting, the IDF believes that the damage to the effectiveness and scope of the GAP’s shooting is a result of command and control problems in the face of the IDF’s actions and not due to a lack of ammunition.
In addition, the security establishment estimates that the longer the operation continues, the more likely it is that Hamas will be dragged in. The IDF will continue to concentrate effort as long as the fighting continues, in eliminating senior officials and damaging their homes, which are also used for military purposes. On the other hand, the Egyptians continue to lead the mediation effort, in repeated attempts to achieve a ceasefire, pressure also from the Americans and other countries in the European Union.
