Operation Shield and Arrow

Operation Shield and Arrow

  •   IDF initiates Operation Shield and Arrow, targeting senior Islamic Jihad commanders in the Gaza Strip
  • 5/12/2023
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    This targeted mission of these senior operatives and others is part of the IDF’s efforts to combat Islamic Jihad. The IDF will continue to operate for the security of the civilians in the State of Israel.

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  • ​(Communicated by the IDF Spokesperson’s Office)
     
    Israel Defense Forces and the Israel Security Agency tonight (9 May 2023) targeted senior officers of the Islamic Jihad terrorist organization responsible for the rocket fire toward Israel over the past month.




    Khalil Bahitini: A short while ago, IDF fighter jets struck Khalil Bahitini, who responsible for the rocket fire toward Israel in the past month. Bahitini is the senior operational officer of Islamic Jihad and the commander of the Northern Gaza Division.

    Bahitini was entrusted with approving and carrying out all terrorist activities from northern Gaza as well as, planning and directing terrorist attacks on Israeli civilians and planned shooting at Israel in the immediate future.
     
    Bahitini 44, lived in Gaza City. He started his activity in the Islamic Jihad in the late 90s and throughout the years was involved in many terroristic acts against Israel including- suicide bombings, explosive attacks, rocket fire and directing terrorist activities in Judea and Samaria.
     
    After the elimination of Tayseer Jabri during operation “Breaking Dawn” in August 2022, Bahitini took over his position. Bahitini was a member of the terrorist organization’s military council and had direct and active contact with senior members of the Islamic Jihads’ Political Bureau.
     
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    Tarek Az Aldin: Tarek Az Aldin directed Islamic Jihad operations in Judea and Samaria from Gaza. Recently, he planned and directed multiple attacks against Israeli civilians. Az Aldin 49, is originally from A’arbe in Samaria.
     
    In recent years, Az Aldin was promoted in the commanding chain of the organization. He was entrusted with the coordination between the Islamic Jihad in Judea and Samaria as well as transferring funds for terrorism from Gaza to Judea and Samaria.
     
    He was also responsible for distributing inciting Islamic Jihad content of Islamic Jihad in Israel, meant to promote and encourage terrorist attacks on Israeli civilians.
     
    Tarek Az Aldin was previously incarcerated in Israel on a 25-year verdict, due to his involvement in suicide and IED attacks in the early 2000s.
     
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    Jahed Ahnam: Senior Islamic Jihad operative Jahed Ahnam was Secretary of Cooperation for the terrorist organization in Gaza.

    Ahnam 62, who resided in Rafiah, was one of the most senior members of the organization. He previously served in key positions in the terrorist organization including the Commanding Officer of the Islamic Jihad’s Southern Gaza Brigade and Secretary of the Military Council.

    In his last position, he was entrusted with coordinating weapons and money transfers between the Hamas terrorist organization and the Islamic Jihad.

    Ahnam operated in promoting terrorism in Gaza, Judea and Samaria and around the world. 

    This targeted mission of these senior operatives and others is part of the IDF’s efforts to combat Islamic Jihad.

    The IDF will continue to operate for the security of the civilians in the State of Israel.​