Israel is taking no chances and has deployed the Iron Dome system in the southern city of Ashdod in case of renewed rocket fire from Gaza.
Israel’s Air Force (IAF) deployed an Iron Dome anti-Rocket battery in the city of Ashdod in southern Israel on Wednesday, fearing a deterioration in the security situation and eventual rocket fire by Palestinian terrorists at Israeli civilian targets, Israeli media reported.
Israel has experienced a wave of Palestinian terror over recent months that included shootings, stabbings and rock attacks. There has also been an increase in the number of rockets emanating from the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip.
Israel’s security establishment is concerned that the Islamic Jihad terrorist organization will attack Israel if its member Mohammed Allan, who was incarcerated in Israel and is now on a prolonged hunger strike and in serious condition, dies.
Palestinian terrorists prepare to fire rockets on Israel. (Abed Rahim Khatib/Flash90)
The Islamic Jihad warned last week that if Allan dies, it will no longer be obligated to uphold its truce with Israel.
“The Al-Quds Brigades, the armed branch of Islamic Jihad, announces that if Allan falls as a Shahid (martyr), it will be a crime of the occupation toward our prisoners and our people that will force us to respond forcefully, ending our obligation to the ceasefire,” Islamic Jihad said in a statement.
Most recent reports indicate that his situation has improved.
Taking Allan’s medical state into consideration, Israel’s High Court of Justice ordered his release Wednesday night, saying he no longer poses a threat to Israel’s security.
The Israeli hospital where the terrorist is being treated announced that Allan has brain damage, apparently due to a vitamin deficiency caused by the hunger strike. It is unclear whether the damage is reversible.
Iron Dome was successful in shooting down rockets and preventing deaths with a 90% success rate during Operation Protective Edge last summer.
By: Max Gelber, United with Israel