A wave of Israeli strikes in Gaza shortly before a planned meeting of Gazan factions in Cairo was intended to send a clear message: Israel, not diplomatic conferences, will determine the security reality on the ground.
According to Palestinian reports cited by Nziv, simultaneous strikes carried out early Thursday killed at least 11 people. The report argues that the timing was no less important than the targets, coming shortly before Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad and other factions were expected to discuss Gaza’s future under Egyptian mediation.
Israel’s first message was that it would not wait for the outcome of the Cairo talks before acting against threats. Political meetings, reconciliation efforts and negotiations will not grant immunity to terrorists or protect military infrastructure from Israeli attacks.
The strikes also served as a warning against efforts to create a united terrorist front. Egypt has reportedly been working to bring the factions together for discussions over Gaza’s future and the weapons held by the terrorist organizations. Israel is signaling that unity between Hamas, Islamic Jihad and other armed groups will not alter the balance of power.
