JERUSALEM (JTA) — An operative of the Islamic Jihad terrorist organization involved in planning a massive attack on Israel was killed in a targeted attack, the Israeli military reported.
Mohammed Najar, 25, was hit by an Israeli airstrike Tuesday while he was driving a motorcycle in the southern Gaza Strip, the Israeli Air Force reported. A second Palestinian was injured, according to reports citing Palestinian sources.
Najar reportedly was planning a large-scale attack in the heart of Israel, as well as attacks with rocket-launching cells. It was Israel’s third targeted assassination in recent months.
Islamic Jihad threatened to retaliate for the attack, saying in a written statement that "All options are open to respond to this assassination crime."
In addition to Tuesday’s attack on Najar, Israel fired Monday on two terrorist training outposts in Gaza. The previous day, a Gaza man was killed as he approached the security barrier between Israel and Gaza.
Two rockets fired from Gaza hit southern Israel between Monday and Tuesday.
More than 20 Kassam rockets and mortar shells fired from the Gaza Strip have landed in Israeli territory since the beginning of 2011.
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