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Use of human shields by terrorists (view source)

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One of the thousands of existing targets in the Northern Command that will be attacked in the next Lebanon war is a warehouse containing weapons. Hezbollah intended to use it against IDF fighters and citizens of the State of Israel. The warehouse was established in the heart of the civilian population in Lebanon, a few meters near a school... in the village of Abba... about 25 meters from the official school of Kfar Abba.</ref> (Iranian proxy).

* [[Arafat]] - [[PLO]].<ref name=uscongress1983/><ref name=minister/>

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*[[Arafat]]'s [[Fatah]] 'Force 17' القوة 17]]

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*[[Arafat]]'s [[Fatah]] 'Force 17' القوة 17]]<ref>Elior Levy, [https://m.ynet.co.il/articles/bk211jtim5 Documents from the Defensive Shield prove: This is how the Palestinian Authority supported terrorist attacks and terrorists], ''YNet'', Apr 16, 2022.<blockquote>

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<ref>Elior Levy, [https://m.ynet.co.il/articles/bk211jtim5 Documents from the Defensive Shield prove: This is how the Palestinian Authority supported terrorist attacks and terrorists], ''YNet'', Apr 16, 2022.<blockquote>

The letter to Arafat verifying the allegations that the PA defended terrorist cells, the documents that stunned Marwan Barghouti during his trial, and the surprises revealed in the Muqata in Ramallah. Documents found during Operation Defensive Shield are first revealed 20 years later and shed light on the PA's role in attacks against Israel.

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[https://ynet-images1.yit.co.il/picserver5/crop_images/2022/04/14/Sy4sViBE5/Sy4sViBE5_0_0_2098_1925_0_x-large.jpg]

Barghouti's personal appeal to Arafat

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( Photo: IDF Spokesman )

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(Photo: IDF Spokesman)

The documents seized by the unit, which link Barghouti to involvement in terrorist attacks against Israeli targets, became evidence in the trial against him. During the trial, Levy, who was part of the collections of those incriminating documents, was required to testify in court.

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Allegations against Palestinian police officers who turned a blind eye or carried out terrorist attacks against Israel

[https://ynet-images1.yit.co.il/picserver5/crop_images/2022/04/14/HkLtNoHV5/HkLtNoHV5_0_0_2094_3000_0_x-large.jpg]

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( Photo: IDF Spokesman )

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(Photo: IDF Spokesman)

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"The documents found during the Defensive Shield period last night were critical to completing the intelligence picture regarding the Palestinian Authority's involvement in carrying out terrorist attacks," said Brigadier General Yossi Kuperwasser, who headed the Armenian research division during the operation. We and the political echelon must present conclusive proof of this to our partners around the world. "

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"The documents found during the Defensive Shield period last night were critical to completing the intelligence picture regarding the Palestinian Authority's involvement in carrying out terrorist attacks," said Brigadier General Yossi Kuperwasser, who headed the Armenian research division during the operation. We and the political echelon must present conclusive proof of this to our partners around the world."

Followers

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Most of the unit's work in recent years has focused on the Palestinian arena. "We get into action in places where the only way to get intelligence is with our feet on the ground. Our way of thinking is that we reach a destination, and it can be likened to an escape room.

According to Capt. Z., despite technological advances, another bright future awaits the party he heads. "This unit is only becoming more and more relevant. As the world progresses there are a lot of advanced technological capabilities that allow for remote accessibility, but on the other hand there are also things that cannot be reached, but only physically."</blockquote></ref>

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* '''Shaker al-Absi''' - "Palestinian guerrilla and Fatah al-Islam's leader (2007),<ref name=gatestone-17apr2017>Khaled Abu Toameh, [https://www.gatestoneinstitute.org/10210/palestinians-enemies Palestinians' Real Enemies: Arabs], ''Gatestone Institute'', April 17, 2017

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The Arab heads of state and monarchs do not like to be reminded of how badly they treat Palestinians and subject them to discriminatory and apartheid laws.

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It is not comfortable or safe to be a Palestinian in an Arab country. Scenes of lawlessness and anarchy inside Palestinian refugee camps in the West Bank have also driven many residents to move to nearby cities and villages. Most refugees in the West Bank no longer live inside UNRWA-run camps.

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Let us end where we began: with the Palestinian (non)leadership. What has it done to help its people in the Arab countries? Nothing. No Palestinian leader will urge an emergency session of the UN Security Council to expose the ethnic cleansing and killing of Palestinians in Arab countries. No Palestinian leader will demand that the international media and human rights organizations investigate the atrocities perpetrated by Arabs on their Palestinian brethren. We are sure to see more such criminal silence when Abbas meets with the president of the United States.

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Palestinians living in refugee camps in the Arab world are facing ethnic cleansing, displacement, and death -- but their leaders in the West Bank and Gaza Strip are too busy tearing each other to pieces to notice or even, apparently, care much....

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About 10 years ago, the Nahr al-Bared refugee camp in northern Lebanon was shelled by the Lebanese army; most of its houses were destroyed. Tens of thousands of Palestinians were forced to flee the camp; hundreds were killed and wounded after a Palestinian terror leader, Shaker al-Absi, and his men launched a series of deadly attacks on Lebanese targets, and the Lebanese army assaulted the camp. Before they were attacked by the Lebanese army, Al-Absi and his men had barricaded themselves inside the camp, using civilians as human shields.

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The scenario of Nahr al-Bared is now repeating itself in another Palestinian refugee camp in Lebanon: Ain al-Hilweh. As in the previous instance, a terror leader, Belal Bader, has found shelter inside Ain al-Hilweh, home to more than 50,000 Palestinians. Like al-Absi, Bader is affiliated with radical Islamic groups such as al-Qaeda and ISIS. Bader's presence in the camp has triggered a gang war with other Palestinian factions, resulting in heavy fighting between the warring gangs inside Ain al-Hilweh. In the past week, at least eight Palestinians have been killed and 40 wounded.</blockquote></ref>

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* '''Bilal Badr''', ("Palestinian" jihadist <ref>Najia Houssari, "Palestinian fugitive announces he is in Syria", ''Arab News'', 02 January 2018.<blockquote>

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BEIRUT: Bilal Badr, who was a leader of a militant extremist group in Ain Al-Hilweh Palestinian refugee camp in southern Lebanon, said in a statement that he has moved to Syria.

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The statement was circulated on social media and bears the signature of Badr, who is wanted by Lebanese authorities.

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He had been hiding in Ain Al-Hilweh for more than a month, and there were rumors that he had left the camp.

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In the statement, a copy of which was obtained by Arab News, Badr addressed his followers, saying: “From the land of jihad and pride, from the den of the lions in the Levant which we have immigrated to only to support the religion of God, raise the banner of monotheism, and support the oppressed and beleaguered Muslims. I would like to thank you for helping your sister, who is your honor. I congratulate myself for having brothers like you. May God gather us as His obedient followers in this world, and in paradise in the hereafter.”..

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Badr’s group includes 25 militants.</blockquote></ref>) in 2017.<ref name=gatestone-17apr2017/>

* ''Tanzim'' (Arab-Palestinian group).<ref name=rb-2002/>

* ''Al-Qassam'' (Arab-Palestinian group).<ref name=hrw2009/>

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*[[Palestinian Islamic Jihad]].<ref name=book-yaalon-2008>Ya'alon, Moshe, the Long and Short Way. Yedioth Ahronot, 2008. [https://books.google.com/books?id=tXIMAQAAMAAJ&focus=searchwithinvolume&q=%22%D7%9E%D7%92%D7%9F+%D7%90%D7%A0%D7%95%D7%A9%D7%99%22 36].

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Hamas, PIJ (Palestinian Islamic Jihad) and Fatah - who attack the State of Israel with terrorist attacks and rockets challenge the world order. These organizations also violate the laws of war by targeting civilians and by using their citizens as 'human shields.'</blockquote></ref><ref name=jcpa-jul132021/><ref>[https://www.jpost.com/breaking-news/explosion-at-market-in-gaza-city-injuries-reported-674567 1 killed, 10 injured in explosion at Gaza City market] Tzvi Joffre, JPost, July 22, 2021.

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Hamas, PIJ (Palestinian Islamic Jihad) and Fatah - who attack the State of Israel with terrorist attacks and rockets challenge the world order. These organizations also violate the laws of war by targeting civilians and by using their citizens as 'human shields.'</blockquote></ref><ref>Tal Ariel Amir, [https://www.maariv.co.il/news/military/Article-539787 Written in Blood: The Chilling Operations Diary of the Battle of Jenin Revealed], ''Maariv'' news, April 29, 2016.<blockquote>

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It was one of the most heroic and complex battles during Operation Shield in 2002, which aimed to eradicate Palestinian terrorism. One intense hour on April 9 that left behind 13 martyrs, many displays of heroism and stories of warrior brotherhood. A reserve infantry force, operating inside the Jenin refugee camp, went into an ambush in a small, low courtyard, which was named "the bath", thus becoming a stationary target for dozens of terrorists who had fortified themselves on the upper floors of the buildings around them. Under the cover of darkness, dozens of fighters from the Islamic Jihad sniped at them and threw trapped cans at them. But the evil of the reserve fighters was in their hands. Under heavy fire and at the risk of their lives, they worked uncompromisingly to rescue their wounded comrades. It was the sacrifice that led to the loss of the liver experienced by the assisting company from the 7020 battalion.

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Now, exactly 14 years after that bloody battle, which took place on the seventh day of Passover, the diary of Jenin's operations has been revealed for the first time...

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When did you understand that most of your friends to the department are not between life? "A moment before I entered the yard for the third time, which was silent at once, simply silence." The bath was armed with bodies and the mirror was creepy, I felt a dignity when I went to the fatal friends and crossed them.. These fighters are that he saved a whole nation by sacrificing their lives. After their deaths, the attacks decreased and we were here for their right. " What do you remember from your friends to battle? "It's hard to describe what we felt in Jenin, because it's a deep talking experience in us, I see Jenin's sights every day, I prefer to remember my friends as life and not like the laps in the yard in the refugee camp. They fought in a fierce. They are with me all the time." Full of March 2002 was loaded with terrorist attacks, as Israel did not know for many years, and therefore, according to all "black March". About 11 suicide bombings occurred in those days, and that the attack in the Park Hotel in Netanya, where 30 Israelis were murdered to celebrate the Passover order. In the same evening, Prime Minister Ariel Sharon decided, on the exit for the operation of a shield, in order to harm the terrorist infrastructure and stop the wave of attacks. The military operation went out on March 29 and surround all the grounds of Judea and Samaria. IDF forces entered Nablus, Ramallah, Jenin, to Bethlehem, Lakeliya and Talkram, bread from home to Beit House, revealed arms and arrested. In most cities, there were relatively easy fights, but Jenin There was another story.

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The fighters entered the city on April 2. It was the first time when the army was dealing with a civilian environment, which used inhabitants as human shield. The Islamic Jihad members prepared for the battle and the mines throughout the small refugee camp, and bonzed about 15,000 cargo and explosive traps. Inside the houses, snipers hid, and the troublemaking alleys were placed. The conquest of Jenin was imposed on the Reserve Division 5, which one of its supervisors is 7020, known as Nachshon. The division will be buried in Golani 51 Battalion under the command of Ofek Buchris, in the reserve and graying units 13. The continued forces from Shutral, the Engineering and Cherry Unit. "On Friday, two days After the attack at the Park, I received an order 8", from Alfasi (43), which went to the operation and left at home behind him a pregnant woman. "I arrived at the base of the division and saw people in the clothes of holiday and those returned Especially from the farthest eastern trip. No one hesitated, the percentage of stabilization was full. We all was clear that we reached to save one's souls in Israel.

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After two days training, our mission is Nablus. Only then the command was changed to Jenin, the capital of suicide. "In the face of it, there were preceding concerns?" There was a high sense of mission. If there were concerns they were erased. We initially arrived at the Salem checkpoint, on the outskirts of Jenin, and immediately noticed the pastoral environment. Remote could be seen in the Jezreel Valley and the Gilboa, but the planes that are over and tens of hemhms returned me to reality. I thought of the symbolism of a military operation on Passover, which is the holiday of the liberty. On the first day of Jenin Givat Hatanas, but the next day we returned to the Salem checkpoint and entered the nightmares into the refugee camp, located in the city center. Next to the hospital we went down the tools and around was dark.

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The first thing I saw was pharmaceutics glued to the walls of most houses, including pictures of suicide bombers or of Jews who were murdered. It put me in the focus. We immediately entered one of the houses and so looked our activity in the days to come. We moved from a house under a strong fire. Whenever you break the door, purify the floors, and there is no quiet moment. "The entrance to the refugee camp was slow and nervous. The ground was full of sabotage, connected to a hire, and it had to neutralize them one by one. About the soldiers who were treated with improvised explosives. From time to time, bombers' terrorists in an attempt to explode among them. Jenin's operations diary details the frequent reckless encounters." Chase After a blue Subaru near the cemetery, an eight man with vests and weapons. A tank shell shooting at them, ".. was written on April 6 at 11:20. Five minutes later, the Operation Sergeants wrote:" Shooting from a mosque tower toward our forces. Snipers responded. They also identified 20 armed men into a house..."</blockquote></ref><ref>Lilach Shoval, [https://www.israelhayom.co.il/article/706357 Step by step: this is how the senior jihadist was eliminated], ''ILH'', Nov 12, 2019.

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The decision on the targeted elimination of Baha' Abu al-Ata ("there was no choice"), and the precise hit ("excellent intelligence capability") - The steps that led to the escalation.

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Abu al-Ata was in the IDF's crosshairs for a long time. The Northern Gaza Brigade, which was responsible for most of the recent attacks, including the bombardment of the Gaza Strip about two weeks ago, the shooting during Netanyahu's speech at the political event in Ashdod and the shooting on Memorial Day. The IDF announced this morning that in recent months they tried in every way to stop him from his hostile activities. "We tried in every possible way," they clarified.

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Abu al-Ata, for his part, made sure to use human shields, including children, in order to prevent his elimination.

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Last week, it was exceptionally approved to carry out the targeted elimination. With the exception of the assassination of a senior Hamas official in charge of finances, which was carried out last May, there have been no targeted assassinations in recent years. At the initiative of Chief of Staff Aviv Kochavi and in full coordination with the General Security Service, the operation was approved in an orderly procedure in the cabinet about a week ago, after which the IDF waited for the appropriate opportunity, with the understanding that Abu Elata planned in the coming days to fire rockets into the surrounding area, launch drones and sniper fire. "The Chief of Staff pushed for the implementation of the operation because he felt there was no other choice," emphasized the IDF spokesman. He also added that: "We understand that Baa was an unbridled factor who acted most of the times on his own accord in a way that was contrary to regional interests."

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At 4:00 the long-awaited opportunity arrived.

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Abu al-Ata was in his home, unusually without a human shield except for his wife and the IDF jets set off. "The operation was very surgical," the IDF said after the incident. A precision missile hit the room where the senior jihadist was staying and caused it to collapse. "We didn't collapse the entire house, but the room he was in,"Silberman said of the surgical operation and revealed a touch of the IDF's operational technological capability. "We took advantage of an opportunity to hit him with minimal casualties," he said. Excellent of both bodies. Very close coordination with the Shin Bet and that's what led us to hit the specific room."</blockquote>

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[https://www.pressreader.com/israel/israel-hayom/20191113/281590947388463 Gaza's agent of chaos]. Israel Hayom, November 13, 2019.

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- He was never arrested and surrounded himself with innocents to act as a human shield - Whenever Hamas sought calm, Abu al-Ata tried to create an escalation.

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Bahaa Abu al-Ata has kept Israel's security elite very busy in the past year. The terrorist who emerged from the bottom, from the ranks of the Islamic Jihad, and rose to the military top of the organization, systematically challenged Israel and the appeasement against Hamas...</blockquote></ref><ref name=jcpa-jul132021/><ref>[https://www.jpost.com/breaking-news/explosion-at-market-in-gaza-city-injuries-reported-674567 1 killed, 10 injured in explosion at Gaza City market] Tzvi Joffre, ''JPost'', July 22, 2021.<blockquote>

... after a weapons storage belonging to the Palestinian Islamic Jihad terrorist movement at the Al-Zawiya market in Gaza City exploded on Thursday morning... The PIJ seemed to take some form of responsibility on Thursday evening, announcing that it would "rise up to its responsibilities" and follow up with all concerned parties concerning the explosion in the market. The terrorist movement expressed its "full solidarity" with those affected by the explosion.

The injured were transferred to Shifa Hospital in the coastal enclave. The Palestinian killed in the incident was identified by Palestinian media as Atta Saqallah.

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"Instead of responding to UN calls for the reconstruction of Gaza, terrorist organizations continue to manufacture weapons and promote the construction of military sites," added Adraee. "These terrorist organizations store their weapons in the heart of residential neighborhoods and among civilians, exposing them directly to danger."</ref><ref>[https://www.20il.co.il/%D7%A6%D7%94%D7%9C-%D7%94%D7%A4%D7%99%D7%A6%D7%95%D7%A5-%D7%94%D7%92%D7%93%D7%95%D7%9C-%D7%91%D7%A8%D7%A6%D7%95%D7%A2%D7%94-%D7%9E%D7%97%D7%A1%D7%9F-%D7%A0%D7%A9%D7%A7-%D7%A9%D7%9C-%D7%94%D7%92/ IDF: The largest explosion in the Gaza Strip - an Islamic Jihad weapons depot], News 20.

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"Instead of responding to UN calls for the reconstruction of Gaza, terrorist organizations continue to manufacture weapons and promote the construction of military sites," added Adraee. "These terrorist organizations store their weapons in the heart of residential neighborhoods and among civilians, exposing them directly to danger."</blockquote></ref><ref>[https://www.20il.co.il/%D7%A6%D7%94%D7%9C-%D7%94%D7%A4%D7%99%D7%A6%D7%95%D7%A5-%D7%94%D7%92%D7%93%D7%95%D7%9C-%D7%91%D7%A8%D7%A6%D7%95%D7%A2%D7%94-%D7%9E%D7%97%D7%A1%D7%9F-%D7%A0%D7%A9%D7%A7-%D7%A9%D7%9C-%D7%94%D7%92/ IDF: The largest explosion in the Gaza Strip - an Islamic Jihad weapons depot], News 20.

Thirteenth of Av 5781 (22/07/2021) .

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Lt. Col. Avichai Adrai, the IDF's spokesman in Arabic, reveals on his Twitter account that the explosion that took place earlier today in the Gaza Strip and caused deaths and injuries was caused by a malfunction in the Islamic Jihad's weapons depot.

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"The explosion is further proof that the terrorist organizations prefer to continue their murderous activities over the interests of the residents of the Gaza Strip. "Instead of responding to UN calls for Gaza rehabilitation, terrorist organizations continue to manufacture weapons and promote the construction of military sites, storing their weapons in the heart of residential neighborhoods and among civilians, and exposing them directly to danger," Edrei wrote on his Twitter account.</blockquote></ref> Iran linked.<ref>[https://fas.org/irp/world/para/docs/950500.htm THE TERRORIST CONNECTION - IRAN, THE ISLAMIC JIHAD AND HAMAS] Elie Rekhess "Justice", Vol. 5 (May 1995) [Fas.org]</ref><ref>(''YNET'' journalist)

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"The explosion is further proof that the terrorist organizations prefer to continue their murderous activities over the interests of the residents of the Gaza Strip. "Instead of responding to UN calls for Gaza rehabilitation, terrorist organizations continue to manufacture weapons and promote the construction of military sites, storing their weapons in the heart of residential neighborhoods and among civilians, and exposing them directly to danger," Edrei wrote on his Twitter account.</blockquote></ref><ref>AbuAliEnglish @AbuAliEnglishB1n Tweeted:<blockquote>

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Media outlets in Gaza realized that it's probably not a good idea to publish clips of rockets being launched from the heart of civilian areas... They began blurring out the lower part so as to hide the truth. You have both versions of the same clip. Share it with the world!</blockquote> ---

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([https://twitter.com/AbuAliEnglishB1/status/1555857839305986048 Aug 6, 2022]).

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AbuAliEnglish @AbuAliEnglishB1 Tweeted:<blockquote>

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They did fire rockets at other targets, attached are pictures showing once again rockets being fired from civilian areas at civilian areas. In the #West_Bank, the operatives of PIJ military wing in #Jenin claim that they fired at #IDF targets at precisely 9:00... </blockquote> ---

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([https://twitter.com/AbuAliEnglishB1/status/1555987140693168128 Aug 6, 2022])</ref><ref>Tal Marciano, [https://www.srugim.co.il/?p=698351 The children who were killed in Jabaliya - as a result of Jihad shooting], Srugim news, 06.08.22.<blockquote>

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Contrary to the Palestinian publications regarding the killing of the children in Jabaliya, it appears that the IDF did not attack in Jabaliya and the deaths are the result of failed shooting by the Islamic Jihad...

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after an investigation it was reported that there had been no attack by the IDF in Jabaliya since 18:51 and the deaths there were the result of failed shooting by the Islamic Jihad organization.</blockquote></ref><ref>Emanuel Fabian, [https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/deadly-blast-in-jabaliya-unequivocally-a-failed-islamic-jihad-rocket-officials/ Deadly blast in Jabaliya 'unequivocally' a failed Islamic Jihad rocket — officials], ''TOI'', Aug 6, 2022.<blockquote>

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An explosion that rocked the Jabaliya refugee camp in the northern Gaza Strip, killing at least four children, was a failed Palestinian Islamic Jihad rocket launch, officials say.

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According to a military official, the Israel Defense Forces did not conduct any airstrike in the area at the time of the blast.

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The official says the IDF detected the launch on its radar systems and saw it land in the area.

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"We have videos that prove beyond any doubt that this is not an Israeli attack. It has been unequivocally proven that it was a failed Islamic Jihad rocket launch," another Israeli official says.

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According to the IDF, some 90 rockets fell short in the Gaza Strip since Friday.</blockquote></ref> Iran linked.<ref>[https://fas.org/irp/world/para/docs/950500.htm THE TERRORIST CONNECTION - IRAN, THE ISLAMIC JIHAD AND HAMAS] Elie Rekhess "Justice", Vol. 5 (May 1995) [Fas.org]</ref><ref>[https://www.fdd.org/in_the_news/2022/08/05/israel-targets-pij-commander-in-gaza/ Israel Targets Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) Commander in Gaza], ''FDD'', Aug 5, 2022.

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Latest Developments:

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An Israeli strike has killed Taysir al-Jabari, the Gaza commander of Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ), which the U.S. Department of State designated as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) in 1997. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said Jabari "was responsible for multiple terrorist attacks against Israeli civilians."

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PIJ had threatened to attack Israeli targets after the arrest earlier this week of senior PIJ figure Bassam al-Saadi. Israel’s internal security service, Shabak, said Saadi was the PIJ leader in the West Bank and was behind the "building of a significant military force." Shabak added that Saadi "was a significant factor in the radicalization of the organization’s operatives in the field."

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PIJ Profile:

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Founded in 1981, PIJ is the second-largest militant group in Gaza after Hamas. In the 1990s and again during the Second Intifada from 2000 to 2005, PIJ targeted Israeli civilians with suicide bombings, including the Netanya mall bombing in December 2005, which killed five Israelis and wounded fifty.

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Dependent on Iran:

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PIJ is the Palestinian militant group closest to Iran, on which it depends for financial and military support. Thanks to Iran, PIJ in Gaza has acquired military-grade weapons that range from small arms to man-portable air-defense systems (MANPADS), rockets, anti-tank guided missiles (ATGMs), and explosive-laden unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). PIJ fighters have also trained inside Iran.

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Remotely Led:

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PIJ has a local leadership structure in Gaza, although its senior leaders reside in Syria, Lebanon, and other countries in the region. Unlike Hamas, PIJ does not compete in elections, employ civilian front organizations, or govern any part of Gaza. When weighing the risks of attacking Israel, it therefore has less need to consider the impact of a potential military response. Ziyad al-Nakhlaheh, Khaled al-Batsh, Hader Adnan, and Muhammed al-Hindi are among PIJ’s most visible leaders and spokesmen.

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Independent from Hamas:

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Despite PIJ's cooperation with Hamas, which also has close ties to Iran, PIJ has launched attacks on Israel at times when Hamas would have preferred not to escalate. These attacks seek to demonstrate that PIJ is the most militant organization in Gaza and can act independently.

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History of Clashes with IDF:

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In November 2019, an IDF strike killed Jabari’s predecessor, Bahaa Abu al-Atta, resulting in several days of clashes between PIJ and the IDF. In February 2020, the IDF conducted strikes against PIJ militant infrastructure in both the Gaza Strip and Syria.

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There has been a sharp increase in PIJ casualties over the last year and half, with numerous militants killed during engagements with Israeli personnel during counter-terrorism operations. Coupled with the establishment of PIJ fighting units, or "katibat," in several West Bank cities, the increase in violence suggests an organized PIJ effort to expand its military capabilities in the West Bank.

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Expert Analysis from FDD’s Joe Truzman: "Israel likely felt an attack by Palestinian Islamic Jihad was imminent and reacted first. The history of conflict with the PIJ suggests a high likelihood of an armed response in the coming days by PIJ and the other militant groups that belong to Palestinian Joint Operations Room, including Hamas."</blockquote></ref><ref>(''YNET'' journalist)

Yossi Yehoshua @YehoshuaYosi Tweeted ([https://twitter.com/YehoshuaYosi/status/1555424949791227904 Aug 5, 2022]):

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* Anna Ahronheim, [https://www.jpost.com/arab-israeli-conflict/article-713227 IDF unveils Hamas sites to be targeted in future Gaza conflicts], ''JPost'', July 27, 2022.

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... Among the sites disclosed to journalists on Wednesday was a tunnel used to store weapons and and move fighters in Gaza City's Tuffah neighborhood next to a now-closed Pepsi factory that closed following last year’s war as well as close to a ~~UNRWA elementary~~ school which is used as an emergency shelter for some 2,500 people in times of hostilities.

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... Among the sites disclosed to journalists on Wednesday was a tunnel used to store weapons and and move fighters in Gaza City's Tuffah neighborhood next to a now-closed Pepsi factory that closed following last year’s war as well as close to a UNRWA elementary school which is used as an emergency shelter for some 2,500 people in times of hostilities.

Another tunnel used by Hamas in the Zabara neighborhood of Gaza City identified by the IDF on Wednesday is under a UNWRA school and a central ambulance center with 14 ambulances as well as a medical equipment storage complex. The tunnel also runs under a church and schools that are used as shelters during hostilities.

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Another site is a tunnel entry shaft that was exposed during last year’s conflict near the al-Azar university in Gaza City which has about 20,000 students. According to the IDF, the tunnel entry shaft leads to a network of subterranean tunnels that branches throughout the Tel-Hawa area southwest of Gaza City and is also close to a police station, a UNWRA school, medical clinic, mosque, a community center and UNRWA’s headquarters in the area.

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According to the IDF, ~~Hamas has~~ a munition production facility located in a building that is also used as a residential building. The site, which contains explosives and flammable material that would cause extreme damage should it explode, is 45 meters from a mosque, 55 meters from a UNRWA clinic that is used as a triage and primary screening center, and 60 meters from Shifa hospital.

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According to the IDF, Hamas has a munition production facility located in a building that is also used as a residential building. The site, which contains explosives and flammable material that would cause extreme damage should it explode, is 45 meters from a mosque, 55 meters from a UNRWA clinic that is used as a triage and primary screening center, and 60 meters from Shifa hospital.

Shifa is considered the blockaded enclave’s main hospital and treats thousands of patients daily. But it has also been used by the terror group for years, including in the 2009 Operation Cast Lead, when senior Hamas officials hid in the building. It also used the hospital in 2014 during Operation Protective Edge as its main headquarters.

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