IDF strikes rocket cell in Gaza; 1 reported killed

Palestinians say Islamic Jihad men targeted in strike east of Gaza City; IDF: Air Force hit two cells preparing to launch rockets.

By JPOST.COM STAFF, YAAKOV LAPPIN
IAF airstrike Gaza_311 reuters (photo credit: Ibraheem Abu Mustafa / Reuters)
IAF airstrike Gaza_311 reuters
(photo credit: Ibraheem Abu Mustafa / Reuters)
The Israeli Air Force struck two Palestinian rocket launching cells in the northern Gaza Strip preparing to fire on IDF forces early Wednesday morning, the IDF Spokesman's Office said. Palestinians reported that one man was killed in the strike.
The IDF said strikes were identified on both cells and that the rocket launching attempts were thwarted.
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One terrorist was killed and five others injured in the strike east of Gaza City's al-Zaytoun neighborhood, Palestinian news agency Ma'an reported.
According to the report, the men belonged to Palestinian Islamic Jihad's Al-Quds Brigades.
Late last month the IAF struck two sites in Gaza in response to a rocket fired into southern Israel. The rocket, which exploded in an open area in the Eshkol Regional Council, caused no injuries or damage.
Earlier in November IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Benny Gantz warned that the IDF is prepared to launch an operation to protect hundreds of thousands of civilians in the South under the threat of rockets if it is forced to do so.
“If we don’t have a choice, we’ll know how to operate in Gaza, and when it happens, we will initiate an orderly and painful [operation],” Gantz said while touring a Golani Brigade base, according to Israel Radio.