Defense Minister Israel Katz confirmed today (Tuesday) that a senior member of the Hamas terrorist organization was arrested in western Gaza City, after hours of Palestinian reports of unusual activity, exchanges of fire - and intensive air force strikes.
The detainee is Mu'ayan al-Arabid, the head of Hamas's general security - who was brought to Israel injured.
Katz said during a visit to the Enrichment Path to mark the start of the school year: "Even while we are here, the activity of our forces in Gaza continues all the time. A short time ago, a senior Hamas terrorist was arrested - and this is our policy: We do not wait for threats, but pursue Hamas terrorists, thwart them and destroy their terrorist infrastructure.".
He said, "We have built a strong and unprecedented security zone in Gaza to protect the residents and IDF soldiers. Nearly 70% of the Gaza Strip is destroyed, without residents, without tunnels and without houses - and the IDF controls the area.".
He emphasized: "We are not moving from Gaza until the Strip is demilitarized, Hamas is disarmed, and all terror tunnels are destroyed. Even after that, the IDF will remain in Gaza on defense lines and ensure the security of the western Negev communities.".
Katz threatened: "Any attempt to bypass the security zone through airstrikes will be met with a severe response. For every hair on the head of an Israeli child that falls in the settlements of the encirclement - we will cut off the heads of Hamas leaders in Gaza.".
""As the Prime Minister and I instructed the IDF: a balloon is treated like a kite, and a kite is treated like a drone - with or without explosives.".
""The response to any launch from Gaza will be powerful and clear: thwarting those responsible for organizing and carrying out the launch, and evacuating any neighborhood from which launches will be carried out in order to remove the threat and deal with the terrorist infrastructure in place.".
"The test will not be in their launches - but in our response. And it will be difficult. We are leading a policy of security at all costs in all sectors and borders - and the entire cost will be at the enemy's expense.".
His comments come after heavy exchanges of fire and Israeli aerial bombardment were reported in western Gaza City this morning.
According to local reports, at least eight people were killed in attacks in the area, with the focus of the exchange of fire being in the area of the American hospital.
Unofficial channels affiliated with Hamas claimed that militia members who oppose the terrorist organization and cooperate with Israel were operating in the west of the city with the aim of kidnapping a senior Hamas official.
According to those reports, the force was exposed during the operation and an exchange of fire developed there, while at the same time Israeli aircraft covering the force attacked the area.
Eyewitnesses reported that the force operating in the area was assisted by a bus and motorcycles and was ambushed while trying to enter the cafeteria complex adjacent to the UN staff quarters.
The IDF confirmed its air activity in the Gaza Strip, but did not provide details about the arrest of the senior officer or the identity of the force that operated in the west of the city.
""The IDF recently attacked several targets in the Gaza Strip with the aim of removing threats to the security forces. There were no casualties among our forces," it said.
