World Jewish News

Israel issues strong warning against Hamas and Islamic Jihad

‘’We will take a very firm stance against anyone who tries to attack us or attacks us from any area. I mean any source: rogue factions, organizations - anyone. In any event, we see Hamas responsible to any attack launched or organized from the Gaza Strip against us,’’ said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

He said that there were those “who still amuse themselves these days by trying to renew attacks against Israel” and warned that such attacks would be dealt with harshly.

Netanyahu was speaking Sunday at the weekly cabinet meeting in the aftermath of continued threats by Palestinian Islamic Jihad in Gaza against Israel and just two weeks after Israel blew up an Islamic Jihad attack tunnel that had been dug into its territory by the southern border.

On Sturday Maj. Gen. Yoav (Poly) Mordechai, the coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories, issued a strong warning that Israel would “respond forcefully and with determination,” against Hamas and Islamic Jihad if the latter group attempted any response to the destruction of the tunnel inside Israeli territory on October 30 in which 12 of its operatives were killed.

“We are aware that Islamic Jihad is plotting against Israel,” Mordechai said. “It is playing with fire at the expense of the citizens of Gaza, at the expense of Palestinian reconciliation and at the expense of the entire region. It should be clear that Israel will respond to any response by Islamic Jihad forcefully and with determination not only against Islamic Jihad, but also against Hamas.”

Naming the group’s leaders, Mordechai added: “We advise the Islamic Jihad leadership in Damascus to be very careful and to keep matters under control. Islamic Jihad command in Damascus and leadership of the organization – Ramadan Shalah and Ziad Nahala – take matters in hand because you will bear responsibility.”

The UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process Nickolay Mladenov rebuked the Islamic Jihad in a message on twitter.

“The reckless actions and statements of militants in #Gaza risk a dangerous escalation. #Palestinians have embarked on a course to solve the humanitarian crisis in the Strip and bring back the legitimate authorities. They should not be distracted by extremists,” Mladenov said.

EJP