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Source: http://jcpa.org/a-double-blow-to-palestinian-islamic-jihad-pij/
A Double Blow to Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ)
(Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs) Yoni Ben Menachem - On Nov. 12, Israel eliminated Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) military leader Baha Abu al-Ata in Gaza City, who was responsible for a series of terrorist attacks, including launching rockets at Israel. At the same time, Israel also attacked the Damascus home of Akram al-Ajouri, who headed the PIJ Military Council. He was reportedly injured in the attack. Reports from Gaza say that PIJ and Hamas leaders are in hiding. Abu al-Ata challenged the Hamas leadership in Gaza, who had been afraid to confront him. Israel considered Abu al-Ata as a "ticking time-bomb," ready to launch new attacks, and therefore was compelled to act. He deployed squads for infiltration and sniper attacks, launched drones, and prepared rockets of various ranges. A few weeks ago, Egypt released dozens of PIJ detainees in the hope that this would encourage its leaders to maintain the calm. However, Islamic Jihad only obeys Iranian instructions. Earlier this month, Islamic Jihad launched a barrage of rockets at Ashdod and other cities near Gaza. Abu al-Ata was responsible. The writer, a veteran Arab affairs and diplomatic commentator for Israel Radio and Television, is a senior Middle East analyst for the Jerusalem Center.