Gaza-based terrorist linked to a rocket attack on Eilat earlier this month was killed at around 10 a.m. Tuesday morning in a targeted strike by the Israel Air Force, as he drove his motorcycle in the northern Gaza Strip.
Israeli security sources named the man as 24-year-old northern Gaza resident Hitham Mashal, calling him a Salafist who was active in multiple jihadist organizations.
"Mashal dealt in the manufacturing, upgrading, and trade of firearms, particularly rockets and bombs, which he delivered to various terror organizations for profit and to promote terrorism against the IDF and Israeli civilians," the Shin Bet security service said following the attack. The IAF carried out the air strike in coordination with the Shin Bet.
The targeted air strike is designed to thwart future attacks from Gaza and Sinai - attacks that are in the planning stages, according to security officials.
Mashal provided arms to the Shura Council of the Mujahideen in the Environs of Jerusalem, an organization said to be linked to al-Qaida and operating in the Gaza Strip and Sinai Peninsula. The group, which advocates violence against Jews, was behind the rocket attack on Eilat earlier this month, as well as previous strikes on the western Negev.
"Mashal was involved in promoting and carrying out that [the Eilat] attack," said sources in the Shin Bet. "His activities were known to Hamas, which refrained from stopping him."
"Hamas is responsible for preventing attacks carried out, planned, and advanced in Gaza," the sources said.