The military wing of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad Movement (IJM), known as the al-Quds Brigades, released a short video message on May 4 showcasing some of its long-range rockets and threating to hit strategic targets throughout Israel.
In the 42-second video, al-Quds Brigades fighters can been seen loading three heavy rockets into a camouflaged launch pad in an unspecified part of the Gaza Strip. The design of the rockets, which appear to be locally-made, simulate that of the M-302, which is known to be made in Iran and Syria. Both countries are believed to be backers of the IJM.
The video, which is titled “The Circle Of Flame Will Widen,” carried a direct threat to the port of the city of Ashdod, the Dimona nuclear reactor, Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv and Hafia’s refinery. The least is located more than 150km north of Gaza, right within the range of M-302 rockets.
These threats came as the Israeli Air Force (IAF) stuck dozens of targets across the Gaza Strip. This aerial operation began following a rocket attack by Gaza’s factions, which were responding to the killing of four protestors by the Israeli military a day earlier.
According to Israeli sources, Palestinian groups have launched more than 450 rockets, so far. Some of theese rockets have reached central Israeli towns. However, the positions listed in IJM’s video have not been targeted yet.
This round of escalation has claimed lives of at least ten Palestinian civilians, including a baby, and three Israeli citizens. The number of casualties on both sides is expected to grow in the upcoming hours, as Tel Aviv appears to be determined to continue its aerial attacks o Gaza. This could provoke a fierce response from the IJM and other Palestinian factions.
