October 14, 2012

JERUSALEM (JTA) — Israeli air strikes targeted and killed a leader of an al-Qaida-linked terror group in Gaza and also struck a terror cell preparing to launch rockets at during a weekend of attacks on both sides.

Two rockets fired from Gaza struck southern Israel early Sunday morning. The rocket strikes were fired after an Israeli air strike hit two Palestinian men in Gaza as they were preparing to launch a rocket attack on Israel, according to a statement from the Israel Defense Forces. 

On Saturday night, the Israel Air Forces targeted Gaza resident Hisham Saidani, who the IDF identified as a founder of the Hashura Council of the Mujahideen terrorist organization, which operates under the umbrella of Global Jihad, and was involved in significant terror activity against Israeli civilians and IDF soldiers, and has been a promoter of radical Salafi ideas and Jihad.

Saidani reportedly was killed in the attack. He had been planning a complex attack to be carried out along the Sinai border, collaboration between Gaza-based militants and Salafi operatives in Sinai, according to the IDF.

Over the years, Saidani was responsible for terrorist activity in the Gaza Strip including firing of rockets and the placement of explosive devices.
 

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