MOSCOW, August 21 (RIA Novosti) - An Israeli air strike has killed three major Hamas commanders, the Associated Press (AP) reported Thursday, quoting a text message sent by Hamas to the media.
An Israeli air strike near the Palestinian city of Rafah killed six, including three Hamas military leaders, Mohammed Abu Shamaleh, Mohammed Barhoum and Raed al-Attar. The Israeli Security Agency (ISA) confirmed the killing of two of the three commanders.
The commanders of the Hamas military wing killed in the strike were considered high-profile targets by the Israeli military. In total, Israeli forces carried out 20 air strikes on Wednesday night.
Air strikes on Gaza resumed after Hamas fighters fired several missiles at Israel before the end of the five-day ceasefire on Tuesday. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered the Israeli Air Force to continue strikes on the Gaza Strip and also recalled the Israeli delegation from peace talks in Cairo.
In July, Tel Aviv began carrying out air strikes against Hamas in response to rocket attacks. Later, Israel also launched a ground offensive to destroy Palestinian underground tunnels crossing the border with Israel.
Around 2,000 Palestinians, including 467 children and 66 Israelis have been killed since the beginning of Israel’s military operation, according to the UN relief agency’s Gaza Situation Report 43.
