Hamas knows full well Israel will not tolerate a a “drizzle” of rocket and mortar fire from Gaza, and for that reason announced it had arrested those responsible for Tuesday night's mortar attack, Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu said Wednesday.
Netanyahu, speaking during a visit to a Military Intelligence base, said that Hamas also made clear it was committed to the cease-fire that went into effect on August 26.
During the visit Netanyahu was briefed by Military Intelligence head Maj.-Gen. Aviv Kochavi and, according to a statement put out by his office, thanked him and his soldiers for their contributions during Operation Protective Edge.
“The information brought from the Intelligence branch was a significant asset contributing to the blows that Hamas absorbed,” he said.
The statement did not mention whether Netanyahu related during the visit to the letter of refusal to serve signed by a group of 43 reservists in the Military Intelligence's elite 8200 unit.
A Palestinian shell fired from Gaza landed in Israeli territory, near the southern border on Tuesday evening. There were no injuries or damages in the attack, which occurred in the region between Eshkol and Sdot Negev.
It was the first mortar or rocket attack from the Gaza Strip since August 26, when a truce went into effect between Hamas and Israel after 50 days of conflict.
The attack was not immediately claimed by any faction in Gaza.