The timing of the recent video warning sent to Gaza by IDF Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT) Major-General Yoav Mordechai was not coincidental, but another Israeli effort to prevent further escalation of hostilities between Israel and the Hamas regime in Gaza, as well as the Islamic Jihad.

This being the case, defense establishment officials announced on Monday evening the eve of 25 Cheshvan that Iron Dome batteries have been deployed around the country, in the south, the north and center.

The situation between Israel and the Islamic Jihad is deteriorating and while the intelligence community does not believe the Islamic Jihad will begin firing rockets, it does believe it will carry out some type of revenge operation to avenge the deaths of their fellow terrorists who were killed when Israel detonated a terrorist tunnel found along the Gaza border. After it was learned the bodies of the terrorists were in the tunnel, which was on the Israeli side of the border, Israel announced it would not permit efforts to find and extricate the bodies for burial.

Israel publicized it is holding the bodies of the five terrorists killed in the tunnel blast. It was announced that until such time Hamas returns the remains of Lt. Hadar Goldin HY”D and Sgt. Oren Shaul HY”D, the bodies of the terrorists would remain in Israel’s hands. Israel has remained firm in the face of mounting Islamic Jihad threats.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)