The IDF struck targets in the northern Gaza Strip, killing a top Islamic Jihad operative on Friday, saying it has begun Operation Breaking Dawn against the Palestinian Islamic Jihad. Israel had limited movement in the South over the last three days due to threats by Islamic Jihad that it would attack Israel.
Several targets in the northern Gaza Strip were hit, with reports of casualties and residents of the Gaza envelope were asked to remain close to shelters should there be any rocket fire.
The IDF has alerted residents up to 80km from the Gaza Strip, including Tel Aviv, that there is a risk of rocket fire.
Earlier in the day Defense Minister Benny Gantz warned that the threat posed by the group will be dealt during a visit to the IDF’s Southern Command.
Defense Minister Benny Gantz visited the IDF’s Southern Command Friday morning as tensions remain high along the Gaza border for the fourth day in a row over fears of an attack by Palestinian Islamic Jihad and warned that the threat posed by the group will be dealt with.
“To our enemies, and specifically to the leadership of Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad, I would like to emphasize: your time is up.* The threat [on this region] will be removed one way or another,” the defense minister said.
During his visit he held a situational assessment with IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Aviv Kohavi, head of the southern Command Maj.-Gen. Eliezer Toledano, Commander of the Gaza Division Brig.-Gen. Nimrod Aloni and the head of the Shin Bet Ronen Bar.
“The situation in which several terrorists (some of which are not even located in this area), hold the Gazan people hostage - will backfire,” Gantz warned.
The leader of PIJ, Ziad Nahalka who is based in the Syrian capital of Damascus, was in Tehran on Thursday and met with Iran’s President Ibrahim Raisi. Tehran funds and equips the Gaza based terror group.
Gantz said that security forces are preparing for all scenarios, on all fronts including in the north and the center of the country and that the IDF will continue its operational activity in all sectors as needed.
“We do not seek conflict, yet we will not hesitate to defend our citizens, if required,” he said, adding that “the State of Israel and the IDF will continue its operations, knowing the responsibility we bear on our shoulders - to defend the communities and citizens of Israel’s south. And to defend the citizens of the entire State of Israel.”
Home Front releases instructions for Israelis following IDF strike
The Home Front Command published instructions on Friday for Israelis living close to Gaza after the IDF struck Islamic Jihad targets in Gaza.
The instructions are valid from Friday morning until 6 p.m. on Saturday, although the IDF may release more instructions after that time period.
According to the instructions, people living in proximity to Gaza were told not to have gatherings over 10 people in open spaces and 50 people in closed spaces. Places of work that have access to shelters were given the okay to keep working, but those that don't were instructed to close, as were education institutions.
The instructions for the west and center of the Negev and Lachish were the same except they could have gatherings of up to 100 people in closed spaces.
Following the IDF announcement of a special situation, Ahskelon's Mayor Tomer Galam announced the opening of Ahskelon's public shelters.
Beersheba also announced that it was opening its shelters a few minutes later.
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