The IDF attacked several Palestinian Islamic Jihad targets in the Gaza Strip throughout Friday night, they confirmed in a Saturday morning statement, adding that among these targets were rocket and mortar launching sites.
One of the locations targeted by Israeli fighter jets overnight was used by senior Islamic Jihad operative Muhammed Abu al-Ata as his operational headquarters.
However, the IDF said, Abu al-Ata had fled his headquarters and taken up residence inside a Gaza hospital, using the civilian population to keep himself safe.
The operational headquarters of Islamic Jihad operative Khaled Azzam was also targeted in Israeli strikes overnight. According to the IDF, Azzam is a senior operative in the rockets division of Gaza's Islamic Jihad.
Who is Palestinian Islamic Jihad member Muhammed Abu al-Ata?
Abu al-Ata is the brother of once top Palestinian Islamic Jihad terrorist Bahaa Abu al-Ata, who Israel assassinated back in November 2019.
Following his death, Bahaa Abu al-Ata was described by then-IDF chief of staff Aviv Kohavi as "a living ticking timebomb," and as the man "who undermined the quiet in southern Israel."
Later on Saturday morning, the IDF confirmed that over the Israeli airforce fighter jets had attacked six more Islamic Jihad rocket and mortar launch sites, some of which were actively used over the last several days.