Islamic Jihad leader Ziad al-Nakhala claimed on Tuesday that senior members of the organization were eliminated by Israel in the recent round of fighting in Gaza because they negligently kept their cellphones with them.
Speaking to the Haya Washington website, Nakhala insisted there was no intelligence penetration on the part of Israel into the organization which led to the elimination of the senior officials during Operation Shield and Arrow.
He stated that "despite the preventive measures taken to prevent the use of the mobile devices – our brothers did not meet the requirements."
"There is complacency regarding the use of communications. Unfortunately, I say that our brothers were negligent in assessing the situation, and how the enemy monitors these devices," continued Nakhala.
Regarding the possibility of targeted eliminations by Israel in additional arenas, the leader of the Islamic Jihad said, "We are able to respond to any assassination and attack by Israel, anywhere."
Nakhala also stated that every person who is eliminated has a "lieutenant who replaces him immediately" and takes responsibility for him - within the military hierarchy of the Islamic Jihad.