Hamas rally. Photo: wiki commons.

Hamas militants have established checkpoints along the major thoroughfares in Gaza to prevent further rocket attacks against Israel, after the Jewish state responded to last week’s five-rocket barrage on Ashkelon by striking the perpetrator of the attack, the Palestinian Press reported on Monday citing Hamas sources.

Witnesses said Hamas checkpoints are searching cars for rockets and discouraging known elements from responding after the Israeli Air Force targeted Ahmad Sa’ad, a senior operative in the Palestinian Islamic Jihad terrorist organization on Sunday, injuring him severely.

The report said that Hamas deployed on Sunday night along the border “after strong worded messages reached Hamas through an Egyptian mediator sent by the Israeli leadership.”

On Sunday, at his weekly cabinet meeting, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel would provide a “strong response” to rockets. A source cited by the Palestinian Press said the Israelis “threatened to launch a major military operation against Hamas rule in Gaza.”

Palestinian Press said that “Hamas has vowed to reign in the rocket launchers in the Gaza Strip to prevent any new Israeli aggression.”

The report added that Hamas is working to reign in the multiple factions operating in Gaza, including Islamic Jihad, which it called on “to remain silent and not to respond” to Sunday’s strike on Sa’ad.

Within Israel, the Ashdod municipality on Monday morning canceled classes in all schools that weren’t fortified against rockets, fearing an escalation in attacks on the southern city.

The report was flagged by blogger Elder of Ziyon on Monday.