Israeli military: It killed terrorist who planned recent attacks

The military unit of Islamic Jihad said it would avenge the death of a terrorist killed during an Israeli military strike Wednesday. Israeli officials said Ahmed Za'anin was responsible for rockets fired into southern Israel soon after the funeral of former prime minister Ariel Sharon at the nearby Sycamore Ranch last week, the Jerusalem Post reported. Defense Minister Moshe Ya'alon said in a statement Wednesday two terrorists were killed in the attack, although a military spokesman could not confirm the death of the second terrorist. The Post said a military source reported another individual was with Za'anin at the time of the strike. "The blood of martyrs will not be in vain, but a curse that chases the occupier everywhere," Ma'an News Agency quoted a leader of al-Quds Brigades as saying. Israeli military officials said Za'anin's organization, the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, was planning additional rocket attacks against Israel soon. Ya'alon said Israel wouldn't hesitate to use "all paths and means standing at our disposal" to retaliate against those who threaten the country's security, Arutz Sheva reported. "We see Hamas as responsible for the firing on Israel, and if they can't impose their authority over the terror organizations acting in their territory, we will continue acting to exact a very heavy price from those dealing in terror and firing at Israel," he said.