An Israeli political official confirmed today, Tuesday, that the assassination operation in the Gaza Strip was aimed at Islamic Jihad, not Hamas.

After the evaluation session held by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, he said, "We are striving to neutralize Hamas and avoid a wide escalation, and we have offensive plans and a wide bank of targets that will be used as needed."

He added, "We conveyed messages to Hamas through mediators, both secret and public," stressing that it is impossible to guarantee that Hamas will not join the tour, and the security establishment is ready for that, he said.

The Israeli official confirmed that there are contacts with the mediators, but they are not panting behind the search for calm. According to him.