Islamic Jihad rebuffs calls for a ceasefire as fighting renews
Spokesperson says organization willing to 'pay the price' for armed resistance
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.