Between Israel and Gaza, the escalation. Hamas military leader killed (video)
(B2) Tension between Israel and Hamas escalated today (14 November). For the past few days, Israel has been under attack from rockets from the Palestinian territory, around a hundred, according to the authorities. The retort came today in a lively way.
Hamas military leader shot dead
Planes carried out so-called 'surgical' strikes against targets clearly identified by Israeli intelligence. One of them was particularly spectacular since it targeted the car where the military leader of Hamas, Ahmed Al-Jabari, pulverized it, and killed by the one who is the leader of the brigades Izz al-Din Al -Qassam. " The purpose of this operation was to seriously compromise the chain of command and control of the Hamas leadership, as well as its terrorist infrastructure., says the Israeli army.
Fajr5 missiles targeted
At the same time, the Israeli army carried out a series of attacks targeting " a significant number of long-range missile sites (Fajr5 rocket launchers with a range of over 40 km) held by Hamas”, according to a plan approved by Chief of Staff Benny Gantz. As the Israeli Air Force puts it, " the aim is to target these sites and hinder the launching of rockets by terrorist organizations”. And she promises to continue to target terrorist sites that are used to carry out terrorist attacks against Israeli citizens”.
A forward base of Iran according to Israel
« The Gaza Strip has turned into an advanced base for Iran” adds the statement of the army. “All options are open to seriously damage Hamas and other terrorist organizations adds IDF.
Waiting for a ground offensive
European side no comment for the moment. On Monday (12 November), the EU's High Representative for Foreign Affairs, Catherine Ashton, showed herself " very concerned about the latest escalation of violence between Gaza and Israel “, condemning the rocket and mortar fire towards Israel and calling on both parties not to “ not exacerbate the situation ", calling for "the resumption of negotiations" to achieve the satisfaction of the aspirations of the "Palestinians and Israelis (...) through a solution of two independent states" (*)
Apparently she was not heard... Today is more the time for climbing. According to the local press, infantry units have been deployed in the south of the country, in order to deal with any eventuality, and a ground offensive in Gaza is clearly envisaged. More broadly, all army exercises have been stopped. And some reservists recalled.
(NGV)
(*) Full text in English only (as usual): "I condemn the firing of rockets and mortars into Israel, and call on both sides to refrain from exacerbating the situation. Further regrettable loss of life and injury must be avoided. I support the mediation efforts by Egypt and reiterate that there is no place for violence in the Middle East. It is only through resumed negotiations that the legitimate aspirations of both Palestinians and Israelis will be met, through a two-state solution."
