IDF fighter jets strike 3 terror targets in Gaza

Attack comes after Islamic Jihad threatens to avenge IAF killing of operative who IDF say was involved in planning "massive" terror attack.

By JPOST.COM STAFF, YAAKOV KATZ
kassam fired 224 88 (photo credit: )
kassam fired 224 88
(photo credit: )
The IDF Spokesman unit overnight Tuesday confirmed that IAF aircraft attacked three terrorist activity targets throughout the Gaza Strip.
Specific targets were hit and all IAF planes returned safely to their base.
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The strikes came after the IAF assassinated a top Islamic Jihad operative earlier on Tuesday in the Gaza Strip, who security officials said was planning a large-scale terror attack inside Israel.
The dead man was identified as 24-year-old Mohammed Najar. He was killed by an IAF-fired missile while riding a motorcycle near the border with Israel near Khan Younis.
Security sources said that Najar was part of a terror cell involved in planning a large-scale attack inside Israel. “His assassination will hopefully prevent that attack,” one official said.
"All options in response to the crime are available to us. Our martyr's blood will not be spilled in vain. We will respond at the right time and place," the Islamic Jihad al-Quds Brigades said.
The IDF said that the assassination was carried out in coordination with the Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency).
It came just after Defense Minister Ehud Barak warned that Israel would respond aggressively to Palestinian attacks from the Gaza Strip. On Tuesday morning, a rocket landed just south of Ashkelon, a day after four rockets hit Israel.
“I want to tell the other side – Hamas, Islamic Jihad and the Popular Resistance Committees – that I recommend they don’t test us,” Barak said during a meeting with soldiers from the Paratrooper’s Brigade stationed along the Gaza border. “If the rocket fire against us continues there will be more attacks on the other side as well.”