Senior Israeli security officials warned the Hamas terrorist organization on Friday against launching rockets from the Gaza Strip during the upcoming Jewish holidays that start next week Friday.

The message from the Israeli officials was conveyed to Hamas, the de facto rulers of the Gaza Strip, through intermediaries, according to a report published by the PBC.

The message also included a clear warning that Israel would respond with strong force if rocket launches were carried out, and did not rule out launching a military operation in response.

In addition, Israel’s security apparatus would make preparations on a larger scale toward the eve of the Jewish holidays on Friday, which may be exploited by Palestinian terrorist factions or individual lone wolves, based on security warnings.

Israel has recently witnessed a deadly rise in tensions with Palestinians in the West Bank. The Israeli intelligence agencies have reportedly been thwarting hundreds of terror attacks.