Operation Shield and Arrow

On May 9th, 2023, the IDF launched Operation “Shield and Arrow” in a targeted operation against the Islamic Jihad terror organization in the Gaza Strip. The IDF targeted three senior Islamic Jihad commanders responsible for launching rockets toward Israel over the last month and planning further terror attacks against Israel.

166
Targets Struck
547
Rockets Launched Towards Israel
175
Interceptions
1 in 5
Launched Rockets Fell in Gaza

IDF Precision Strikes Target Islamic Jihad in Gaza

The IDF also struck Islamic Jihad terrorist infrastructure in the Gaza Strip, including weapons manufacturing sites and military compounds. The strikes were carried out with pinpoint accuracy based on real-time intelligence, while making efforts to avoid harming uninvolved civilians as much as possible.

All three senior Islamic Jihad members targeted in the operation were heavily involved in the terrorist attempts of the Islamic Jihad to harm IDF soldiers and uninvolved Israeli civilians, both from Gaza and in Judea and Samaria. Most notably, over 100 rockets were fired from the Gaza Strip toward Israel on May 2nd, 2023, targeting Israeli communities and leading to the injuries of several civilians.

Khalil Bahitini
Khalil Bahtini (44, lived in Gaza City) started his activity in the Islamic Jihad in the late 1990s and throughout the years was involved in many terrorist acts against Israel, including suicide bombings, explosive attacks, rocket fire and directing terrorist activities in Judea and Samaria.
After the elimination of Tayseer Jabri during Operation “Breaking Dawn” in August 2022, Bahitini took over his position as the senior operational officer of Islamic Jihad and the commander of the Northern Gaza Division. Bahitini was a member of the terrorist organization’s military council and had direct and active contact with senior members of the Islamic Jihads’ Political Bureau.

Bahitini was entrusted with approving and carrying out all terrorist activities from northern Gaza as well as, planning and directing terrorist attacks on Israeli civilians and planned shooting attacks against Israel in the immediate future, he was also responsible for the rocket fire toward Israel in the past month.
Tarek Az Aldin
Az Aldin (49, originally from A’arbe in Samaria) was the director of Islamic Jihad operations in Judea and Samaria from Gaza. Recently, he was entrusted with planning and directing multiple attacks against Israeli civilians, the coordination between the Islamic Jihad in Judea and Samaria as well as transferring funds for terrorism from Gaza to Judea and Samaria.
Az Aldin was also responsible for disturbing inciting content of the terrorist organization in Israel meant to promote and encourage terrorist attacks on Israeli civilians.
Jahed Ahnam
Jahed Ahnam (62, lived in Rafiah), was one of the most senior members of the Islamic Jihad, previously served in key positions in the terrorist organization including the Commanding Officer of the Islamic Jihads’ Southern Gaza Brigade and Secretary of the Military Council.
In his last position, he was entrusted with coordinating weapons and money transfers between the Hamas terrorist organization and the Islamic Jihad. Ahnam operated in promoting terrorism in Gaza, Judea and Samaria and around the world.

The IDF will continue to operate against the threat of terrorism and maintain security for the civilians in the State of Israel.

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