Hamas issued a warning to Israel on Tuesday over its ongoing counterterror operation in the Shuafat and Anata terror strongholds in East Jerusalem, following C14’s report this evening (Monday) that Israeli forces had launched a large-scale operation in the two areas.
“Hamas warns of the consequences of Israeli activity in the Shuafat refugee camp and the town of Anata in Jerusalem, and emphasizes that the city of Jerusalem, its towns and refugee camps will remain entirely ‘Palestinian,’” the terror group said in a statement. It further claimed that Israel’s attempts to “isolate it, Judaize it and impose control over it” would be “broken by the steadfastness of its residents.”
Despite warning Israel of “consequences,” Hamas did not threaten any direct action of its own, instead suggesting that resistance would come from residents of the camps. The Israeli operation in East Jerusalem has been dubbed “Operation Combined Fist.” Border Police, IDF and Shin Bet forces launched the large-scale counterterror operation in Anata and Shuafat, near Jerusalem. The operation is being led by Jerusalem Envelope District Commander Brig. Gen. Eran Levy and Binyamin Brigade Commander Col. Anan Fares.