Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Aviv Kochavi and Shin Bet security agency Director Nadav Argaman held a special press conference in Tel Aviv on Tuesday, as Islamic Jihad terrorists launched a massive rocket salvo at southern and central Israel.
The latest flare-up followed the targeted killing of top Islamic Jihad commander Baha Abu al-Ata, for which the Iranian-backed terrorist group vowed an "unprecedented response."
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"The decision to eliminate Abu al-Ata was made by the Diplomatic-Security Cabinet 10 days ago after he was determined a ticking time-bomb," Netanyahu said, adding that the military had ample evidence that al-Ata was planning future terrorist attacks.
"This course of action was recommended by the IDF, Shin Bet and other defense establishment officials," the prime minister said, adding that the successful operation "proved we can target terrorists with minimum collateral damage."
Netanyahu urged public patience, saying the escalation "could take some time" to resolve. He further urged the public to heed the Homefront Command's instructions on how to behave during sirens and rocket fire.
"Israel is not interested in an escalation, but we will do everything required to protect ourselves. This could take time. What is needed is stamina and cool-headedness," he said.
Kochavi, too, defined al-Ata as a major threat, saying, "He was the top Islamic Jihad commander in Gaza, the man responsible for the majority of terrorist attacks from Gaza, including massive rocket fire on Israel. He was a man who threatened and undermined security in Gaza vicinity communities and the Gaza Strip. He constantly undermined the efforts to broker a ceasefire with Hamas.
"We explored several ways to eliminate him but is soon became clear that we had to launch a targeted strike. The operation was targeted and efficient." Israel, the chief of staff continued, "Has no interest in further escalation but we are ready for any scenario and will handle any threat, be it on the ground, by air or by sea. And if we have to strike back – we will."
Kochavi reiterated Netanyahu's call to the public to follow safety instructions: "I call on the public to listen to the Homefront Command. It's our duty to protect you and save lives. we're getting support from the public and it is essential for us to carry out our mission."
Speaking last, Argaman said Abu al-Ata was the "main terror instigator in the Gaza Strip. He knew that he was a wanted man – he lived in hiding.
"His elimination was the result of a successful operation that saw close collaboration between the Shin Bet and the IDF, especially the Southern Command, and a massive intelligence-gathering effort. This was an accurate operation and this accuracy minimized collateral damage.
"We have proven that we can target anyone who threatens Israel's security," the Shin Bet director concluded.
EU concerned, Egypt called on to broker lull
European Union Ambassador to Israel Emanuele Giaufret condemned the rocket barrage in Israel and called for a rapid "de-escalation" between Israel and the Hamas-ruled coastal enclave.
"Extremely concerned about evolving security situation, with multiple rockets launched this morning. A rapid de-escalation is needed, indiscriminate rocket fire is unacceptable. Need to protect all civilians," he tweeted.
LTG Aviv Kohavi, IDF Chief of General Staff:
"Baha Abu Al Ata was the senior commander of Islamic Jihad in Gaza, responsible for most attacks emanating from Gaza over the last year...he was a ticking time-bomb...there was a window of opportunity that we utilized precisely." pic.twitter.com/2ODMhLoZ0O
— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) November 12, 2019
An Egyptian intelligence delegation was reportedly on its way to Israel for talks and may travel to Gaza later in the day in an effort to broker a ceasefire.
Officials familiar with the issues said that the real question going forward is whether Hamas, which rules the Gaza Strip, would be willing to reign in the Islamic Jihad, or join in the fighting.
President Reuven Rivlin issued a statement saying, "We stand behind our security forces, who have been working for the success of this morning's operations for a long time. I know that they, and the Israeli government that approved the operation, have Israel's security, and only that, in their minds.
"This is no time for political squabbles, and those who do so bring no credit to themselves," he said, and urged the public to "please listen to the life-saving instructions of the IDF Homefront Command."
Blue and White leader and former IDF chief Benny Gantz, lauded the successful operation.
"The war on terror is ongoing and at times, difficult decisions have to be made. The cabinet and the IDF made the right decision for Israel's security. Blue and White will support any decision that serves Israel's security and places public safety and security above all political interests. Any terrorist who plots against Israel should know that his days are numbered," he tweeted.
Blue and White co-founder Yesh Atid leader Yair Lapid tweeted, "I congratulate the IDF and our security forces on this successful operation. Deterrence can only be generated using force."
Yisrael Beytenu leader Avigdor Lieberman criticized Netanyahu saying, "I thought we should have taken al-Atta out a year ago [when he was defense minister] but Netanyahu blocked it."
Democratic Union MK Stav Shaffir said, "Unfortunately if in the past we [the opposition] could quietly unite behind the government's decisions, today it is difficult not to ask questions about the timing. We should have brought back our deterrence and security long ago. Not during an interim government, when someone else has the mandate [to form the next government] and when every decision Netanyahu makes has a cloud of suspicion floating above it. This is a dangerous situation."
The Palestinian Authority denounced what it called "the ongoing Israeli aggression against the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip," adding that Ramallah "holds the Israeli government solely responsible for the recent escalation."
Chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat said Israel's government "bears full responsibility for the consequences of this crime," in a statement carried by the official PA news site Wafa.
