Update 1 of 4: Shield & Arrow
1. On 9 May 2023, the IDF has launched Operation Shield and Arrow, targeting 3 senior members of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ), in the Gaza with multiple sites belonging to PIJ hit by the 40 aircraft involved in the opening strikes, which lasted for about two hours starting at 2am local time.
2. Operation Shield and Arrow was planned after PIJ launched 102 rockets at Israel last week, but was postponed for technical reasons.
3. The United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) was established the protect the universal rights and liberties.
4. Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh said in a statement that “assassinating the leadership in a treacherous operation will not bring security to the occupier, but instead greater resistance”. Unclear if Hamas will join in rocket attacks with the PIJ on Israeli civilians at this time. If Hamas joins, the follow on IDF bombing campaign planned will be more extensive.
5. Qatari funded, mostly pro-Palestinian propaganda agency Al Jazeera quoting PIJ officials said, “the amount of attention given to the threats of the resistance amuses us. The retaliation will come and despite the illusions of the occupation — it will be unified with all the resistance factions.”
1. On 9 May 2023, the IDF has launched Operation Shield and Arrow, targeting 3 senior members of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ), in the Gaza with multiple sites belonging to PIJ hit by the 40 aircraft involved in the opening strikes, which lasted for about two hours starting at 2am local time.
(a) Beyond the 3 senior PIJ members killed, IDF helicopters and fighter jets targeted weapon manufacturing sites, including rocket production workshops in Khan Yunis. In addition, fighter jets targeted a site used for manufacturing concrete for building terrorist tunnels. Furthermore, 6 military compounds belonging to the PIJ were targeted, most of them were used as weapon warehouses and logistic infrastructures belonging to the terrorist organization.
(b) The Palestinian health ministry reported 13 deaths, including that of three commanders, their wives, several children and collateral casualties. I wait for an armed response by PIJ. The main concern of the IDF are rockets, mortars, anti-tank guided missiles, drones, sniper fire, and to a certain extent anti-aircraft missile fire from Gaza, which are the military capabilities PIJ possesses.
2. Operation Shield and Arrow was planned after PIJ launched 102 rockets at Israel last week, but was postponed for technical reasons.
(a) PM Netanyahu and Defence Minister Gallant made the call without a Security Cabinet meeting. Abu Hamza, PIJ spokesman: "The Al-Quds Brigades and the resistance affirms we will abide by our commitment and duty toward the martyrs, and will confront the aggression with steadfastness and courage."
(b) A source authorized to speak for the Israeli government did not mention Hamas even though these statements often say Hamas is responsible for what happens in Gaza. This can be a sign that Israel wants to keep the operation focused, not escalate or broaden it.
3. The United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) was established the protect the universal rights and liberties.
(a) Unfortunately, despite this honorable mission, the UNHRC has a long legacy of disproportionate focus on Israel through its standing Agenda Item 7, thus implying Palestinians can only be associated to human rights abuses, itself racist toward Palestinians.
(b) While obsessively focusing on Israel, the UNHRC, in its debates, reports and resolutions, systematically ignores or downplays violations perpetrated by the Hamas against Israeli civilians.
(c) The sad reality is that some of the world’s worst perpetrators of human rights abuses sit as judges and jury at the UNHRC, granting impunity for most of the world’s worst regimes on matters of human rights, such as, China, the Russian Federation, Iraq, Kazakhstan, Mali, Pakistan (as sanctuary for the Taliban, when they were in exile from Afghanistan for 20 years), Qatar (as major supporter of Hamas), Saudi Arabia (as leader of the GCC), and Vietnam, or regimes in Muslim ruled countries that are openly hostile and pro-Palestinian, like Malaysia and Kuwait.
4. Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh said in a statement that “assassinating the leadership in a treacherous operation will not bring security to the occupier, but instead greater resistance”. Unclear if Hamas will join in rocket attacks with the PIJ on Israeli civilians at this time. If Hamas joins, the follow on IDF bombing campaign planned will be more extensive.
5. Qatari funded, mostly pro-Palestinian propaganda agency Al Jazeera quoting PIJ officials said, “the amount of attention given to the threats of the resistance amuses us. The retaliation will come and despite the illusions of the occupation — it will be unified with all the resistance factions.”
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