When the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) fired rockets at Sderot from Gaza about two and a half weeks ago in a show of solidarity with the death of security prisoner Khader Adnan, Colonel Liron Batito of the IDF’s OK Southern Command was urged to pull out the secret plan of attack: “Black Cloak” – a dozens of pages pamphlet containing high-value targets for the attack, including photos of senior PIJ officials and terrorist infrastructures.
“A hundred rockets in the middle of the day in Sderot? The sheer scale surprised us,” said a senior IDF officer, adding, “As for Hamas, we were quite upset with Islamic Jihad for failing to live up to their commitment.” It was clear that Israel was not complacent could be and that a different type of response was required.”
The Military Intelligence Directorate stated that not only was Hamas not involved in the rocket attacks, but senior Hamas leaders in Gaza, Yahya Sinwar and Mohammed Deif, had no intention of participating in the escalation if it became one outbreak would come, and therefore not at the IDF had only focused on Islamic Jihad commanders.
Operation Shield and Arrow: The Critical Moments
Each operation has many critical moments, and one of them is the stage of selecting targets to attack. Surrounding each of these goals is a lengthy discussion of the consequences and achievements, particularly of not dragging Hamas into a direct confrontation with Israel.
After recommendations were drafted in Southern Command, they were reviewed by senior officials from the Shin Bet Intelligence Division.
The Iron Dome anti-aircraft missile system is seen during operational tests following the conclusion of Operation Shield and Arrow on May 14, 2023 (Photo: DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE)
Unlike Operation Breaking Dawn, IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi decided to start with Israel, severely damaging Islamic Jihad’s weapons development, production and storage infrastructure, causing a huge shock effect for an organization that received full funding received from Iran.
After Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu secured approval of the operational plan, a challenge of an entirely different nature presented itself, which was to thwart three different senior Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) officials at a convenient time for a simultaneous attack.
Problems launching a counterattack
The Chief of Staff’s high bar led to delays in launching one such operation, which changed its name from Black Cloak to Operation Shield and Arrow because of a different problem each time: awkward timing for a weather-related attack or being surrounded by Civilians not involved in terrorism would prevent such an attack.
“The past period has allowed us to organize a number of critical infrastructure targets for an attack that have significantly enhanced our defenses through our attack efforts,” said a senior Israel Air Force officer. “We damaged their launch abilities, which would no doubt have included launches on Gush Dan.”
“This is the result of intensive intelligence work and joint planning with the Shin Bet operational unit, which was a key factor in this operation,” he continued.
The intelligence feat was credited to an official responsible for deciphering the top-secret activities of Islamic Jihad and Hamas and the source of their power – which, in addition to arms caches, included the smuggling routes into the Gaza Strip of weapons, manufacturing machinery and materials from which mainly explosive charges, rockets, mortar bombs and launchers are manufactured.
A minute after the three targeted attacks on Islamic Jihad officials, the IAF launched widespread attacks across the Gaza Strip and bombed 12 Islamic Jihad targets, including a tunnel housing the largest rocket production workshop, explosives production laboratories and launch pads were pits and weapons depots.
Israel’s Iron Dome missile defense system intercepts missiles fired from the Gaza Strip, seen from the city of Ashkelon, Israel, May 13, 2023. (Credit: AMIR COHEN/Portal)
By the end of the operation, the IDF had attacked 32 infrastructure targets. “Missiles would have been fired at Israeli citizens from these locations and, at best, the Iron Dome would have to deal with them,” said a senior IDF officer.
The targets attacked
Among the high-quality reinforcement targets attacked during Operation Shield and Arrow was a chemical materials storage facility that was very difficult to smuggle into the Gaza Strip and was constructed in a civilian environment.
“This is a target we attacked as part of Operation Breaking Dawn. They restored the location and we located and attacked it again. These precise actions create a sense of hostility in Islamic Jihad; they have moved the location to another location,” an IDF official told Walla.
Another destination was a tunnel where a rocket manufacturing factory was being built. Islamic Jihad reportedly built the compound deep underground to increase its survivability against IAF attacks. An IDF lieutenant specializing in visual intelligence revealed that they have used AI to locate production workshops and that “we have very experienced researchers with extensive knowledge who know how to recognize signs to locate production workshops. “
According to a preliminary assessment by the IDF’s Research Department, Islamic Jihad’s munitions sites were “completely wiped out,” including the main missile production areas. When asked about the possibility that Islamic Jihad might be borrowing rockets from Hamas, an IDF official said that “this is not usually the case.”
This official, who will leave office and complete his term in a few months, said: “We have consistently, even routinely, struck in the heart the sources of power of Islamic Jihad and Hamas. So do we.” This makes things difficult for Hamas. There is no access from the sea. We also have 90% in the tunnels. My doubts are only about the crossings, particularly the Rafah border crossing, which could be an entry point for things, it’s important to understand that we’re constantly hitting the core of Hamas production.”