IDF returns to targeted killing
Israel Air Force tries to kill Islamic Jihad terrorist in north Gaza; Palestinians say terrorist escapes unscathed; operation marks first Israeli targeted killing attempt since Sharm el-Sheikh summit
GAZA - In light of the recent escalation in violence, the IDF has taken its anti-terror activity up a notch: The IAF attempted to kill an Islamic Jihad terrorist in the north Gaza Palestinian town of Beit Lahiya Tuesday, marking the first targeted killing attempt by the IDF since the Sharm el-Sheikh summit in February.
An aircraft fired two missiles in the terrorist’s direction, but no one was injured during the attack, witnesses said.
The attack came a few minutes prior to the Jerusalem meeting between Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas.
Shortly after 3:30 PM (8:30 AM EDT) a large blast was heard near Beit Lahiya in north Gaza. Initially it was assumed that Israeli planes were operating against mortar or Qassam rocket crews, but IDF sources later told Ynet the attack was aimed at killing an Islamic Jihad terrorist.
The sources refused to discuss the attack’s outcome, but the Palestinians confirmed the terrorist was unharmed.
Regardless, the operation marks a major change in Israel’s policy, as it has refrained from carrying out IAF targeted killing operations for the past year and a half.
The IDF has all but given up on attacking Gaza targets from the air, but it has recently returned to this method of action in a bid to thwart Qassam rocket and mortar fire at Israeli towns and settlements.
The recent IAF attack joins a series of operations targeting Islamic Jihad, which is responsible for the recent West Bank terror attack that killed 27-year-old Yevgeny Raider.
'We are not coming to kill and destroy'
Earlier Tuesday, more than 50 Islamic Jihad terror suspects were detained across the West Bank, and two Palestinian boys were arrested in the West Bank town of Qalqiliya in possession of makeshift weapons.
Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz gave the 'green light' for robust action against Islamic Jihad in the Palestinian territories.
"(Islamic) Jihad declared it is not part of the calm and we must act to stop its actions at any place and at any time," he said during a visit of the IDF’s Central Command units.
"Every time we'll receive information connected to the group's activists, we must act to thwart all its actions."
According to the Sharm el-Sheikh agreement, IDF troops in the territories must receive approval for all arrests by the senior echelon. However, soldiers have now been given a "freer hand" regarding the arrests of Islamic Jihad activists.
Bureaucracy will also be reduced to ease the situation.
Military action against other terror groups committed to the calm will continue to be more restrained and controlled.
Mofaz also discussed Hamas' infrastructure in Hebron, and said the army must "keep its finger on the pulse."
IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Dan Halutz said military action against Islamic Jihad must persist.
"Wherever we'll receive information, we'll try to place our hands on the terrorists," he said. "We are not coming to kill and destroy, but to catch and detain, so that they will not be able to use terror against citizens."
