An Israeli political source stated this evening (Thursday) that the continued rocket fire by the Islamic Jihad terrorist organization in Gaza, which resulted in the death of an Israeli civilian in Rehovot, and said that these rocket attacks make the possibility of a ceasefire much more distant.
“If the shooting at Israel continues, the attacks in the Gaza Strip will continue, including the continuation of the countermeasures and the exaction of another heavy price from Islamic Jihad. Fire will be answered with fire,” said the political source.

He noted that “in the last day, despite Egypt’s efforts to bring about a ceasefire, Islamic Jihad launched a barrage of fire at Israel. In response, a fourth significant leader (Ali Gali) in Islamic Jihad was killed, and the organization continued to suffer severe damage.”
“The equation has changed: Israel will take account and exact a price for those who direct terrorism from the Gaza Strip to the West Bank. The killing of Tareq Izzeldeen is an example of this. The IDF is prepared to continue to protect the citizens of Israel with strength, and at the same time, attacks terrorist targets and is ready for any scenario,” he added.

On Thursday afternoon, the IDF announced the assassination of Ahmed Abu-Deka, the deputy commander of the Islamic Jihad rocket launching force. The IDF Spokesman revealed that the military had Abu-Deka under observation for two days, but held off on attacking him as long as he was in the vicinity of civilians he used as human shields.
The strike against Abu Deka follows the assassination of Ali Ghali, another senior Islamic Jihad terrorist and the commander of the organization’s rocket-firing squads.