The operation, called “Pillar of Defense”, has been launched by the Israel military.
Many of the buildings in downtown Gaza City are on fire after being attacked by Israeli warplanes, RT’s Arabic correspondent Saed Swerky reports on Twitter.
The IDF says all options are on the table in Gaza, including a ground operation
Israel has started emergency call up of reservists, while saying they are preparing for a ground
invasion of Gaza, RT`s Tom Barton reports from Israel. The strikes caused extensive damage to
the long-range missile capabilities and underground weapons storage facilities, the IDF said on
Twitter.
The Gaza Education Ministry has announced a suspension of study at Gaza schools and
universities due to heavy fire by Israel.
Big explosion occurred near home of Hamas leader, Mahmoud Zahar, Al Arabiya reported. The
death toll from the strikes has risen to nine with some 20 wounded, the Red Cross says.
Jabari was traveling in his vehicle in Gaza City when his car was struck, AP reports, citing
witnesses. Reports say Jabari, his son and three other people were killed in the strike.
An Israeli strike also targeted Raad Atar, another senior Hamas military wing commander, but he
survived, Israeli Ynet reports.
The assassination has “opened the gates of hell,” the Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades, the armed
wing of Hamas, were quoted by AFP as saying. The militants vowed to ”continue the path of
resistance.”
The IDF stated on its website that it has launched a “widespread campaign on terror sites and
operatives in the Gaza Strip” and Jabari was its first target. He’s the highest ranking Hamas
official to be killed since 2009, when Israel conducted ground offensive against Gaza.
“The purpose of this operation was to severely impair the command and control chain of the
Hamas leadership, as well as its terrorist infrastructure. This was a surgical operation in
cooperation with the Israeli Security Agency, that was implemented on the basis of concrete
intelligence and using advanced capabilities,” the statement said.
The crackdown follows the recent escalation of violence in the region. The conflict broke out
last week when Palestinian militants attacked at an Israeli military jeep.
Israel responded with retaliatory attacks, to which the Gaza Strip replied with heavy rocket fire at
southern Israel.
Jabari is the most senior Hamas official to be killed since Operation Cast Lead in Gaza four
years ago. He is believed to be behind the notorious abduction and detention of Israeli soldier
Gilad Shalit, who was held hostage for more than four years until being released last year as part
of a hostage swap deal.
Many of the buildings in downtown Gaza City are on fire after being attacked by Israeli warplanes, RT’s Arabic correspondent Saed Swerky reports on Twitter.
The IDF says all options are on the table in Gaza, including a ground operation
Israel has started emergency call up of reservists, while saying they are preparing for a ground
invasion of Gaza, RT`s Tom Barton reports from Israel. The strikes caused extensive damage to
the long-range missile capabilities and underground weapons storage facilities, the IDF said on
Twitter.
The Gaza Education Ministry has announced a suspension of study at Gaza schools and
universities due to heavy fire by Israel.
Big explosion occurred near home of Hamas leader, Mahmoud Zahar, Al Arabiya reported. The
death toll from the strikes has risen to nine with some 20 wounded, the Red Cross says.
Jabari was traveling in his vehicle in Gaza City when his car was struck, AP reports, citing
witnesses. Reports say Jabari, his son and three other people were killed in the strike.
An Israeli strike also targeted Raad Atar, another senior Hamas military wing commander, but he
survived, Israeli Ynet reports.
The assassination has “opened the gates of hell,” the Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades, the armed
wing of Hamas, were quoted by AFP as saying. The militants vowed to ”continue the path of
resistance.”
The IDF stated on its website that it has launched a “widespread campaign on terror sites and
operatives in the Gaza Strip” and Jabari was its first target. He’s the highest ranking Hamas
official to be killed since 2009, when Israel conducted ground offensive against Gaza.
“The purpose of this operation was to severely impair the command and control chain of the
Hamas leadership, as well as its terrorist infrastructure. This was a surgical operation in
cooperation with the Israeli Security Agency, that was implemented on the basis of concrete
intelligence and using advanced capabilities,” the statement said.
The crackdown follows the recent escalation of violence in the region. The conflict broke out
last week when Palestinian militants attacked at an Israeli military jeep.
Israel responded with retaliatory attacks, to which the Gaza Strip replied with heavy rocket fire at
southern Israel.
Jabari is the most senior Hamas official to be killed since Operation Cast Lead in Gaza four
years ago. He is believed to be behind the notorious abduction and detention of Israeli soldier
Gilad Shalit, who was held hostage for more than four years until being released last year as part
of a hostage swap deal.
No comments:
Post a Comment