A terror group with ties to ISIS fired a rocket that struck a street in Sderot on Wednesday, causing minor damage.
Ahfad al-Sahaba-Aknaf Bayt al-Maqdis took credit for the rocket attack. The group released a statement in what The Times of Israel described as “poorly-translated Hebrew”: “Oh you cowardly Jews: You don’t have safety in our land. [Former defense minister Moshe] Ya’alon, the failure at giving security. [Defense Minister Avigdor] Liberman to fail will be a certainty.”
Three Israelis were treated for anxiety following the attack, and several cars were damaged.
In response, Israel fired tanks at Hamas positions in Beit Hanoun, the Times later reported. Israel holds Hamas responsible for all rocket fire emanating from Gaza, which the terror group has ruled for nine years.
As usual the group also releases messages in Hebrew, claiming there will be no security for #Israel pic.twitter.com/3iepoZlUGz
— Michael Horowitz (@michaelh992) October 5, 2016
Ahfad al-Sahaba-Aknaf Bayt al-Maqdis’s message is similar to one issued by ISIS’s Sinai affiliate in a video released this past summer: “Jews will not remain in Palestine, we will turn it into a graveyard for Jews.”
Egyptian authorities have claimed that Hamas has been crucial to the rise of ISIS in the Sinai, transforming it from “a gang of Bedouin with light weapons into a well-trained, well-armed group of 800 militants.” An ISIS commander met with Hamas officials in Gaza in December to increase cooperation between the terrorist groups, especially in the area of arms smuggling. (ISIS leaders are reportedly hosted by Hamas officials in Gaza regularly — a disgruntled ISIS fighter complained in an open letter published in March that ISIS officials attend “lavish banquets” at the homes of Hamas leaders.)
These growing ties, which have enraged Egyptian officials, reportedly also include joint explosives manufacturing, communications and logistical assistance, and hospitalization for injured fighters.
[Photo: Flash90 ]