Netanyahu threatens Islamic Jihad militants, says 'stop or absorb more blows'

The Prime Minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu threatened the Islamic Jihad militants in Gaza to 'stop or absorb more blows' on November 13. The violence between both Israel and Palestinian militants in Gaza which began on Tuesday had escalated on the second day. During the beginning of the cabinet meeting, PM Netanyahu made it clear that it was their choice — either they had to stop the attacks or absorb 'more and more' blows. He also added that Israel was not looking for further exaggeration of violence however, he will respond to the attacks 'without mercy'. 

Read - Israeli Strikes Kill 2 Gaza Militants; Death Toll Now At 12

Israel killed the top commander

Israel began the targeted strike which killed an Islamic Jihad commander on November 12 in the Gaza strip which is backed by Iran. The top Palestinian militant commander was responsible for the rocket fired against Israel, with many more violent attacks planned in the future. The Gaza militants had retaliated with barrages of rocket fire. Israel, on the other hand, responded again with airstrikes targeting the Islamic Jihad sites and their rocket-launching squads. Reportedly, nearly 18 Palestinian militants have been killed by Israeli forces while there has not been a single casualty on the other side. However, some damages have been caused by the rockets and the residents had to rush to the bomb shelters. According to the army, at least 220 rockets have been fired by Islamic Jihad militants in Gaza into Israel since the morning of November 12. 

Read - 6-year-old Celebrating Birthday In A Bomb Shelter In Israel Goes Viral On Social Media

UN intervened to de-escalate the situation

The United Nations had to intervene throughout the military offensive in order to de-escalate the situation. The Islamist group that rules Gaza, Hamas joined Islamic Jihad in launching rockets into Israel. The Israeli airstrikes in Gaza which according to the military targeted Islamic Jihad gunmen and various sites belonging to the group. The Palestinian militant group confirmed that four of those men were its members while the residents of Gaza said the others belonged to a different armed group. The sites which were hit by the rocket includes a toy factory in the border town of Sderot and a highway where CCTV footage shows a bus escaping the impact. 

Read - Court Says EU States Must Label Israeli Settlement Products

Read - Israeli Airstrike Kills Islamic Jihad Commander In Gaza Home

(With inputs from agencies)