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 during the past month especially. While taking part in these attacks, Awwar was employed by Hamas as a policeman.

This terror infrastructure of which Awwar was a member is a violent and extremist Salafi cell which has carried out several rocket attacks, including the rocket attack against the city of Sderot and the communities in southern Israel during the Passover holiday on April 21, 2014. It has also attempted to carry out various terror attacks against Israel and to target an Israeli helicopter. The preemptive strike was intended to prevent Awwar from executing further attacks which he had planned.

Lt. Col. Peter Lerner, IDF Spokesperson: "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."

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (Wednesday, 11 June 2014) made the following remarks about the IDF-ISA operation in the northern Gaza Strip:

"Our policy is clear - kill those who rise up to kill us. The IDF and the ISA 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."