Military

Israel Military: Hamas Assassination Start Of Operation Against Gaza Militants

KPBS | By Associated Press

Published November 14, 2012 at 4:35 AM PST

This story was published more than 12 years ago.

U.S. Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta and Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak speak with Israeli soliders at an Iron Dome anti-missile site in Ashkelon, Israel, Aug. 1, 2012.

The Israeli military says its assassination of the Hamas military commander marks the beginning of an operation against Gaza militants.

Wednesday’s airstrike in Gaza killed Ahmed Jabari, head of the Hamas military wing. The killing was a dramatic resumption of Israel’s policy of assassinating Palestinian militant leaders.

Military spokeswoman Lt. Col. Avital Leibovitch said the attack is the “start of a broader operation.”

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Jabari is the most senior Hamas official to be killed since an Israeli invasion of Gaza four years ago.

Jabari has long topped Israel’s most-wanted list. Israel blames him for a string of attacks, including the kidnapping of Israeli soldier Gilad Schalit in 2006.

Leibovitch said Israel’s military chief authorized an operation to target Gaza militants.