IDF on high alert as terror groups threaten attacks
The IDF, police, and emergency service have raised their level of alert as the Arab terror organizations are threatening attacks and as the Muslim month of Ramadan will conclude this week.
Chief of Staff, Lt. Col. Aviv Kochavi held a situation assessment on Saturday night with the IDF’s top brass and representatives of the Israel Police and the Shin Bet.
Kochavi ordered the streaming of additional forces and deployment of measures, and preparations for a further escalation.
Additional IDF combat troops will reinforce the Judea and Samaria Division in accordance with the IDF’s ongoing situational assessment.
Further Iron Dome batteries were deployed at sensitive locations.
The Magen David Adom emergency service raised the level of readiness in the organization. It was decided to reinforce MDA teams in Jerusalem and other areas around the country, to deal with routine and emergency events.
The tensions are high as the IDF killed a three-member terror cell near Jenin on Friday, Muslims rioted in Jerusalem on Saturday and Gaza-based terrorists fire a rocket at Israel on Saturday night.
The various Palestinian terror organizations have called for an escalation in the violence.
The Fatah Central Committee called for an escalation of the riots in Jerusalem and stated that “the public awakening and the struggle against the occupation and the settlers must continue.”
Islamic Jihad leader Ziad Nahala declared that “it is impossible to remain silent about what is happening in Jerusalem. The enemy must expect our response at any moment.”
Hamas leader Ismail Haniya warned Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu “not to play with fire. This is a campaign in which you cannot win – neither you nor your army nor your police.”
A Hamas spokesman stated that the threat issued by Mouhamed Def will be carried out.
Muhammad Def, head of Hamas’ military wing, issued a “last and explicit warning” to Israel last week that Hamas will not stand by idly in the face of Israel’s “aggression against the Palestinians in the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood” in Jerusalem, and Israel will “pay a heavy price” if it does not cease its actions there.
Hamas leader Khaled Mashaal has threatened that the 28th day of the Muslim month of Ramadan, on May 9, will be the turning point in the “great battle against the Judaization and control of Jerusalem, and the attempt to divide the use of the Al-Aqsa Mosque.”
The 28th day of Ramadan coincides with Jerusalem Day on Sunday night.
The 28th day of Ramadan marks the “Lil al-Qadr”, the most sensitive night in Ramadan with deep religious significance, in which the angel Gabriel brought down the Quran and opened the gates of heaven for prayers, according to the Islamic faith.
“We have no future, or state, or self-determination without Jerusalem,” said Mashaal in an interview with Hamas’ Al-Aqsa TV.
Thanks, Joe Biden and his “team” – or should that be reversed? – and the 80% of Jews who voted for him.