Reserves call-up okayed as army carries out fresh sorties
Explosions continue to be heard in Gaza as Israeli forces seemingly continue to carry out attacks on targets in the Strip. Blasts have been heard sporadically since Operation Shield and Arrow kicked off over two hours ago.
Anticipating that the army will eventually encounter resistance, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant okays the army to call up reserves troops as needed, in any field.
Hamas head Haniyeh: Israel will pay the price, resistance unified
Hamas politburo head Ismail Hanieyh says Israel’s actions won’t bring it security, but rather more violence.
“The enemy made a mistake in its estimations and will pay the price for its crime,” he says.
He adds that the “resistance is unified,” seemingly indicating that his group will back Islamic Jihad in the coming fight, or will even join in.
Hamas slams assassinations, does not threaten response
The Hamas terror group has issued a statement condemning Israel’s assassination on three Islamic Jihad commanders.
While the organization says it will continue to defend Palestinians, it does not issue an explicit threat, possibly indicating that it will remain on the sidelines.
“The occupation is escalating its aggression against the Gaza Strip and targeting those who are safe in their homes,” it says.
Police stop allowing buses to reach Meron over security fears
Police are no longer allowing buses to reach Mount Meron in Israel’s north as they look to secure the country before an expected counter-attack by Islamic Jihad following Israel assassinating a trio of the group’s leaders.
Hundreds of thousands are gathered on Meron for an annual all-night pilgrimage at a shrine revered as the tomb of second century mystic Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai.
Though Meron is practically as far from Gaza as one can get, it is relatively close to the border with Lebanon. Last month, terrorists in southern Lebanon aligned with Hamas in Gaza fired rockets at northern Israel during a flareup.
Buses may resume following a situational assessment at 6 a.m. Other activities at the shrine continue as normal.
Towns near Gaza okayed to evacuate residents
Home Front Command has given the go-ahead for towns bordering Gaza to begin evacuating residents to other parts of the country, with officials estimating that fighting will last at least three days, Channel 13 news reports.
According to the channel, towns already have plans drawn up for such an eventuality, along with arrangements for where residents who must leave home for fear of rocket attack can be housed.
Officials are waiting to see if Hamas joins in the fighting to gauge how intense the clash is expected to be, but are taking precautions in the meantime, Channel 13 says.
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