Israeli general to Hamas: 'Wake up, time is not on your side'

Major General Yoav Mordechai published a fiery statement in Arabic on social media.

By JPOST.COM STAFF
Updated: DECEMBER 9, 2017 16:14
Smoke is seen as a Palestinian man inspects a militant target that was hit in an Israeli airstrike in the northern Gaza Strip December 9, 2017. (photo credit: MOHAMMED SALEM/ REUTERS)
Smoke is seen as a Palestinian man inspects a militant target that was hit in an Israeli airstrike in the northern Gaza Strip December 9, 2017.
(photo credit: MOHAMMED SALEM/ REUTERS)
"Irresponsible terrorists are leading you to an escalation [of the conflict] right before winter," warned Major General Yoav Mordechai on Twitter and Facebook in a message to the people of Gaza, "[in the time] when the hardships in Gaza increase."

Describing the Friday night rocket fire on Israel as "extreme and unacceptable," Mordechai warned that future attacks will lead to "a harsh and painful" response by the IDF.

Palestinian sources reported that 25 people were hurt during the Israeli Air Force's retaliatory strike in Gaza.
"Do not check [to see] how strong we are," warned Mordechai. 
The Hamas rocket attacks took place after a day of rage was declared on Friday in protest at the US decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. Protests and demonstrations were held in Jerusalem, the West Bank, Cairo, Amman, and other places.