Islamist militants launched a rocket from the Gaza Strip last night toward Israel’s southern communities, yet according to an IDF report, the rocket exploded in an open area on the Gazan-side of the border’s security fence. No injuries or damage were reported. In response to the Palestinian rocket-fire, the IDF said it destroyed a Palestinian observation post belonging to the Hamas organization, which Israel views as solely responsible for any attacks emanating from the Palestinian enclave – even if the group was not directly behind the fire directed at Israel.
The rocket fire comes after Hamas announced that its security forces arrested senior Islamic State official Nur Issa, who is perceived by many as the leader of the Islamic State in the Gaza Strip. Three other Islamic State operatives were also arrested along with Issa. The arrest took place in an overnight raid on a house in Rafah city, not far from the Gazan border with Egypt, just one day before a Hamas delegation was expected to travel to Cairo for the Egyptian-brokered reconciliation talks with their Palestinian rivals from President Mahmoud Abbas’ Fatah faction. A Palestinian source told TV7 that the arrests by Hamas of the Islamic State operatives, which are also affiliated with the Sinai branch of the extreme Muslim group, ‘Willayat Sinai’, came as part of a series of good-will gestures by Hamas toward the Egyptian leadership. The source further noted that “In response to the arrests, a group that is affiliated with the Islamic State launched the rocket toward Israel, as they know that an Israeli response will be directed at Hamas positions.”
Meanwhile in Cairo, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi voiced his belief that the steps taken by his country to help end the division among the Palestinians have paved the way to a just peace agreement between Israel and the Palestinians, while adding that those steps would help establish an independent Palestinian state. President Sisi further noted, in a meeting with senior officials of his government, that Cairo’s efforts will ultimately allow the Palestinians to have secure, stable, and prosperous lives.