IDF: Islamic Jihad Rockets were directed from Iran, Syria
“We have delivered clear messages of this fact to the relevant parties,” he said, adding that, in the IDF’s response, “no one is immune, not in the Gaza Strip nor outside of it."
By HAGAY HACOHENUpdated: OCTOBER 27, 2018 15:19Missiles and a portrait of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in Baharestan Square in Tehran, Iran(photo credit: NAZANIN TABATABAEE YAZDI/ TIMA VIA REUTERS)
Hamas rockets fired at Israel Friday night were "directed from Damascus and the Iranian Quds Force," IDF Spokesperson Ronen Manelis said during a press conference Saturday morning.“We have delivered clear messages of this fact to the relevant parties,” he said, adding that, in the IDF’s response, “no one is immune, not in the Gaza Strip nor outside of it."He also warned that the IDF is ready for a "scenario in which we will expand our strikes."Manelis said that Israel had hoped that the situation in the Gaza Strip will change following the decision by Defense Minister Avigdor Liberman to allow Qatar-bought petrol into Gaza.Islamic Jihad fired 34 rockets at Israel, he said, out of which 13 were intercepted by Iron Dome.Islamic Jihad claimed responsibility for the Friday night rocket attack on southern Israel, announcing on Saturday morning that "we can not stand with our hands tied."Manelis said that the IDF expects Hamas to maintain control over events in the Gaza Strip."Islamic Jihad did not wait to get a green light from Hamas to fire rockets," he said. However, he added that "once [Hamas] allow violence near the security fence, they can't be surprised other factions fire [rockets]."Some 16,000 protesters participated in Friday’s March of Return protests, in which four Palestinians were killed by IDF sniper fire and 85 were injured, the Palestinian Ministry of Health reported.Protesters burned tires and threw explosive devices, hand grenades and Molotov cocktails at IDF soldiers. The IDF responded with protest dispersal methods.
