By Aryeh Savir

Tazpit News Agency

In a joint IDF – Shabak operation, a Global Jihad-affiliated terrorist was targeted by an IAF aircraft in the northern Gaza Strip last night.

The Terrorist, Mahmed Awwar, 33 years old, a resident of Beit Lahia, has been involved in many rocket attacks against Israel over the past few years, and especially during the past month. While taking part in these attacks, Awwar was employed as a policeman for the Hamas regime in Gaza.

The infrastructure Awwar was a part of carried out the rocket attack against the city of Sderot and the communities in southern Israel during the Passover holiday on April 21, 2014.

This terror infrastructure is a violent and extremist Salafi cell which has carried out several rocket attacks and has attempted to implement diverse terror attacks against Israel as well as attempts to target a helicopter, security officials said. The preemptive strike was intended to prevent Awwar from executing further attacks he had planned against Israel.

Lt. Col. Peter Lerner, IDF Spokesperson, stated: “Since January, over 200 rockets were launched from Gaza at Israel, indicating a significant increase compared with the previous year, during which over 100 rockets were launched. This operation, conducted following intense efforts and precise preparations, is a part of the ongoing IDF efforts aimed to diminish terror elements in the strip, and maintain security for the civilians of the State of Israel”.

Relating to the successful operation, Prime Minister Benyamin Netanyahu said: “Our policy is clear – kill those who rise up to kill us. The IDF and the Shabak carried out a precise operation and will continue to take strong action against all those who try to attack the security of Israel’s citizens. This is the true face of Hamas; it is continuing to plan terrorist attacks against Israeli citizens even as it inside the Palestinian government. I would like to remind the international community that Abu Mazen – on the day he formed a government with the Hamas terrorist organization – promised to honor all previous agreements. This means that he is responsible for disarming Hamas and the other terrorist organizations of the arsenals in Gaza.”