Amid fears of PIJ strike, Iron Dome enters central Israel
Anticipating possible 'revenge attack' by Gaza-based Islamic Jihad after IDF kills several terrorists in terror tunnel explosion, Israel beefs up security arrangements by deploying missile defense system to protect central Israel, including Tel Aviv; IDF also shuts down 3 tourist sites near Gaza border.
Increasing precautionary measures against a revenge attack for the IDF’s recent explosion of a terror tunnel that killed 14 PIJ and Hamas terrorists, Israel also shut down three tourist sites near the Gaza Strip.
Speaking during an Award Ceremony for Excellence in Technology Tuesday evening, IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Eisenkot warned “the current reality obliges us to look at the various challenges.
"Beyond the northern border, the fighting in Syria is continuing, which is being exploited by Iran and Hezbollah to set up positions. The IDF faces a wide range of threats that are close by and far away,” Eisenkot said.
The heightened security arrangements began in earnest on Monday night when Israel deployed Iron Dome batteries in the southern area of the country.
Despite growing concerns in Israel of an escalation of hostilities with the southern enclave, Palestinian sources within Gaza told Ynet that Egypt has been exerting significant pressures on the PIJ to desist from launching any kind of revenge attack.
The London-based Arab newspaper Al-Hayat reported reported Tuesday that is the Iranian-backed organization has upped its readiness to its highest level, and that it is closely monitoring Israeli citizens living in Gaza-bordering communities.
On Saturday night, Israel promised to respond to any revenge attack with “power and determination.”
Warning the PIJ in Arabic that it is “playing with fire” in a video posted online, Maj. Gen. Yoav (Poli) Mordechai stressed that Israel would respond to any attack against the group itself and Hamas. “We will respond with force against Hamas,” Mordechai said.
The next day, members of the organization said the threats were are tantamount to “a declaration of war.”
