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Israel kills two alleged militants, including one accused of Sharon funeral missile barrage Israel kills two alleged militants, including one accused of Sharon funeral missile barrage
(35 minutes later)
JERUSALEM – Two alleged operatives from two different militant organizations based in Gaza were killed Wednesday in a targeted missile strike carried out by the Israeli air force, according to Israeli military spokesmen. JERUSALEM — Two alleged operatives from two different militant organizations based in Gaza were killed Wednesday in a targeted missile strike carried out by the Israeli air force, according to Israeli military spokesmen.
Israeli forces killed Ahmed Zaanin, an alleged member of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, alongside his cousin, Mohammed Zaanin, who was a member of Islamic Jihad, Israeli radio reported.Israeli forces killed Ahmed Zaanin, an alleged member of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, alongside his cousin, Mohammed Zaanin, who was a member of Islamic Jihad, Israeli radio reported.
The Israeli military said Ahmed Zaanin was responsible for firing multiple rockets into Israel, including a barrage last week during former prime minister Ariel Sharon’s funeral, which took place at Sharon’s ranch four miles from Gaza. The funeral was attended by Vice President Biden and other high-level dignitaries.The Israeli military said Ahmed Zaanin was responsible for firing multiple rockets into Israel, including a barrage last week during former prime minister Ariel Sharon’s funeral, which took place at Sharon’s ranch four miles from Gaza. The funeral was attended by Vice President Biden and other high-level dignitaries.
This is the second targeted attack on a Gaza-based militant in four days. On Sunday, Israeli forces fired a missile at Ahmad Saad, who was wounded while he rode his motorbike through the coastal enclave. The army described Saad as “a key Palestinian Islamic Jihad operative in the Gaza Strip specializing in rocket launching.” This is the second targeted attack on a Gaza-based militant in four days. On Sunday, Israeli forces fired a missile at Ahmad Saad, who was wounded while he rode his motorbike through the coastal enclave. The Israeli army described Saad as “a key Palestinian Islamic Jihad operative in the Gaza Strip specializing in rocket launching.”
Twice this week, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has issued warnings to Hamas, the Islamic group that governs Gaza, to control rocket attacks against Israel or face the consequences.Twice this week, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has issued warnings to Hamas, the Islamic group that governs Gaza, to control rocket attacks against Israel or face the consequences.
During a press conference with visiting Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper on Tuesday, Netanyahu said, “We thwart terror attacks if we identify them while they are still being planned, and we respond decisively against those who harm us.”During a press conference with visiting Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper on Tuesday, Netanyahu said, “We thwart terror attacks if we identify them while they are still being planned, and we respond decisively against those who harm us.”
Netanyahu added: “If Hamas and the terror organizations have forgotten this message, they will learn it harshly very soon.” He added, “If Hamas and the terror organizations have forgotten this message, they will learn it harshly very soon.”
Reports from Gaza indicate that Hamas is attempting to clamp down on smaller militant groups by deploying its own forces along the border.Reports from Gaza indicate that Hamas is attempting to clamp down on smaller militant groups by deploying its own forces along the border.
Hamas spokeswoman Isra al-Modallal confirmed that Hamas troops are now stationed along the border to prevent further rocket fire and said the organization was not interested in an escalation with Israel. Hamas spokeswoman Isra Almodallal confirmed that Hamas troops are now stationed along the border to prevent further rocket fire and said the organization was not interested in an escalation with Israel.
Small groups challenging Hamas’ authority in the Gaza strip is nothing new, said Menachem Klein, an expert in Israel-Palestinian relations at Bar-Ilan University. “Hamas has an interest to keep its power and crack down on the jihadist organizations. These organizations favor anarchy rather than regime, while Hamas is more interested in keeping itself in power.” Small groups challenging Hamas’s authority in the Gaza Strip is nothing new, said Menachem Klein, an expert in Israel-Palestinian relations at Bar-Ilan University. “Hamas has an interest to keep its power and crack down on the jihadist organizations. These organizations favor anarchy rather than regime, while Hamas is more interested in keeping itself in power.”