by debkaFile
The reconciliation process with the Palestinian Authority and the rival Fatah has stalled.
Israel remained on high alert Tuesday, Nov. 14,
after deploying Iron Dome batteries in the center of the country as well
as the south, against threatened Jihad Islami and Hamas missile attacks
on towns in southern and central Israel.
Jihad has vowed to avenge the destruction of the
tunnel it excavated between Khan Younis and the Israeli village of
Kissoufim, and the deaths of 12 of its operatives who were trapped
inside. However, despite a stream of oral threats, it appears to have
decided to hold its fire for now. According to DEBKAfile’s military
sources, this could change depending on whether the IDF initiates
further action. Then, both Jihad and Hamas would make good on their
threats.
The US presidential envoy for the Middle East,
Jason Greenblatt tweeted a warning Tuesday: Extremist statements &
provocation vs. Israel by Islamic Jihad significantly harm the people of
Gaza & are very dangerous. The PA must resume full responsibility
in Gaza. US is working with the PA, Israel, Egypt & others to try to
improve the situation. Gaza deserves better.
Meanwhile, both organizations are tensely following
the slightest IDF moves around the Gaza Strip. The Israeli military
began an exercise Sunday, which is due to wind down on Wednesday. They
are taking into account that the IDF could use the drill for a surprise
attack on a target of theirs. Hamas and Jihad have jointly decided in
that case to let loose with a large-scale missile attack on Israeli
cities. Hamas was prompted to team up with Jihad by dire political and
financial straits on a downward spiral.
The reconciliation process with the Palestinian
Authority and the rival Fatah has stalled. The transfer of the Gaza
border crossings to the Palestinian Authority, in which high hopes were
pinned, has not taken place. And there are no signs that the handover
of the administration in Gaza City will take place as scheduled on Dec.
1.
Qatar has frozen its economic aid payments to the Gaza Strip, and Hamas sees no alternative source of financial assistance.
Source: https://www.debka.com/israel-high-alert-deploys-iron-dome-batteries-missile-attack/
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