Israel threatens to launch a massive military operation against Gaza

Yoav Galant, a member of the Israeli cabinet for political and security affairs, said, "Israel is on its way to launch a major military operation against the Gaza Strip." He added, "We are on the way to a major military operation in Gaza that would change the rules of the game."

While the Israeli Foreign Minister, "Israel Katz," stated: "After the missile was fired at Ashkelon tonight, we have repeated the policy of assassinations; and we will assassinate those who fired the missiles tonight."

Israeli Minister Ofir Aconis stressed: "A large and complex military operation that will happen sooner or later in Gaza, a heavy blow must be struck against them, from which they will not recover for many years."

In the same context, ANHA correspondent in Gaza reported that the Israeli warplanes launched a series of violent raids, at dawn today, on Palestinian factions' sites and agricultural lands, after a missile was launched yesterday, towards Ashkelon, in conjunction with the presence of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the city.

According to the sources: "While, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was delivering a speech at a Likud conference, the sirens sounded, and Netanyahu was immediately transferred to the fortified rooms, after the missile was fired."

After the incident, Netanyahu returned to the conference platform and threatened to assassinate the rocket launcher. Saying: "Hamas and Jihad do not want to win me in the Israeli elections."

It is noteworthy that this is the second time that Netanyahu is being transferred to shelters, it was the first before the last Israeli elections, and on that day the Israeli army said: The person responsible for firing rockets at Ashkelon in conjunction with Netanyahu's speech, is Baha Abu al- Atta, the prominent leader in the military wing, for Islamic Jihad Movement in Palestine, "Al-Quds Brigades".

Less than two months ago, Israel assassinated Abu al-Atta, and the operation led to a major escalation round between the Palestinian factions and the Israeli army.

(T/S)

ANHA