IAF targeting Gaza terrorists. Photo: IDF.

In a joint IDF-GSS operation, a  terrorist affiliated with Global Jihad was targeted Tuesday by an IAF aircraft in the northern Gaza Strip. A direct hit was confirmed.

The terrorist targeted was Hithem Ziad Ibrahim Masshal, 24, a resident of the Shati Refugee Camp. Masshal operated as a part of different Jihad Salafi terror organizations, and over the past few years had become a key terror figure, specializing in weapons and working with many of the terror organizations in the Gaza Strip.  He manufactured, improved and traded different types of ammunition including rockets and explosive devices, which he sold to terror organizations. He assisted the Shura Council of the Mujahaideen in Jerusalem, an organization consisting of Salafi operatives operating under the Global Jihad, and was involved in extensive terror activity aimed at Israeli civilians and IDF soldiers.

On April 17, 2013, Masshal was involved in the Shura Council organization’s firing of rockets at the southern Israeli city of Eilat.

An IDF spokesperson stated that this precise operation demonstrates the IDF’s conviction to prevent terror attacks against the State of Israel.