IDF says airstrike in southern Gaza killed two Islamic Jihad members

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said it carried out an airstrike in the southern Gaza Strip on June 8, killing two members of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad group, whom it described as involved in planning attacks against Israeli forces.

According to the IDF statement, the individuals were identified as Iyad Muhammad Abd al-Aziz Nofal, described as “a Nukhba commander in the Islamic Jihad terrorist organisation,” and Ahmad Abd al-Hamid Hamad Ma’arouf, “Head of an Islamic jihad terrorist cell. Throughout the war, he carried out rocket fire attacks against the State of Israel," Caliber.Az reports. 

The military said both were targeted because they were allegedly preparing “to carry out imminent terror attacks against IDF troops and were eliminated in order to remove the threat.”

“Prior to the strike, steps were taken to mitigate harm to civilians, including the use of precise munitions and aerial surveillance,” it said.

The army added that its forces remain deployed in the area.

“IDF troops under the Southern Command remain deployed in the area in accordance with the ceasefire agreement and will continue to operate to remove any immediate threat.”

By Sabina Mammadli