Islamic Jihad rebuffs calls for a ceasefire as fighting renews

The Islamic Jihad said late Sunday night that it was prepared to continue its actions against Israel for a continuous period of time and that there was no timeline for a cease-fire.

In a statement by the organization it said it has the means for an ongoing and lengthy confrontation with Israel and the IDF, Army Radio reported.

Zihad Nahale, a spokesperson for the group, said the organization was willing to continue ‘whatever the cost may be.’ He added that ‘greater things’ are ahead, hinting that a further escalation might be in sight.

The group, along with the Popular Resistance Committees, reportedly wants Israel to agree to stop carrying out targeted assassinations as a precondition for a ceasefire. Israel refuses to agree to such a condition, according to Channel 2 news.

Islamic Jihad is reportedly frustrated by its lack of ability to inflict casualties and serious damage on Israel and is refusing to agree to a cease-fire, Channel 2 reported Sunday night.

Shortly after 3 a.m. on Monday two rockets were launched towards Beersheba and the IAF attacked a weapons cache and five launch sites in retaliation, ending a stressed calm that had been in place since 11 p.m. Sunday.

On Friday afternoon Israel targeted a kingpin terrorist, and in response Palestinian terrorist groups have been firing rockets at Israeli citizens, with more than 150 rockets launched at Israeli cities.