Islamic Jihad: We are committed to upholding truce

Terror group Islamic Jihad disavowed responsibility Friday for the sporadic rocket fire emanating from the Gaza Strip, saying this is the work of lone terrorists not under its control.

The group said it is committed to upholding a truce with Israel brokered by Egypt after four days of fighting earlier in the week.

“All sides – Israel, the Palestinians and Egypt – are aware of the complexity inherent in the field. With open borders, problems in these areas are an expected issue that can be dealt with,” Islamic Jihad’s deputy chief Ziad Nahalla told the London-based Al-Hayat newspaper.

Speaking to the Ma’an news agency Thursday, Islamic Jihad head Ahmed al-Mudallal said his group was ready to return to launching rockets if Israel renewed air strikes on Gaza.

“We don’t trust the occupation but we trust our steadfastness and resistance. We cannot be quiet during any aggression on the Palestinian people,” he said.

Several rockets were fired overnight, with one aimed at Ashdod being shot down by the Iron Dome anti-missile system.

Nobody has claimed responsibility for the attacks, according to Ma’an.

The fighting began last Friday when Israel assassinated terror leader Zuhair al-Qaissi, setting off four days of fighting, which saw over 200 rockets launched at Israel and some 19 Israel Air Force sorties against launching sites. Eight Israelis were injured in the attacks, including one seriously, and 24 Palestinians were killed, most of them terrorists, according to the IDF.