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Israeli air strike kills Hamas military chief Jabari Israeli air strike kills Hamas military chief Jabari
(35 minutes later)
The Palestinian Islamist group Hamas says the head of its military wing, Ahmed Said Khalil al-Jabari, has been killed in an Israeli air strike. The head of the military wing of the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, Ahmed Said Khalil al-Jabari, has been killed in an Israeli air strike in Gaza City.
Witnesses said he was travelling in a car in Gaza City when it exploded. He and another senior Hamas official died when the car they were travelling in was hit.
Israel's Shin Bet security service said Jabari was responsible for "all terrorist activities against Israel from Gaza" in the last decade. It appears to have been the first step of an Israeli operation against militant groups in the Hamas-run Gaza Strip.
Jabari is the most senior Hamas official to be killed in Gaza since an Israeli offensive four years ago. A series of air strikes are now being reported across Gaza.
In recent days, Israeli officials had said they were considering assassinating senior figures in Hamas, which governs the Gaza Strip, following a wave of heavy rocket-fire. The Israeli Defence Force (IDF) said it had launched "Operation Cloud Pillar" against Hamas, Islamic Jihad and other militant groups.
The Israeli military has already carried out retaliatory air strikes in Gaza. In recent days, Israeli officials had said they were considering assassinating senior figures in Hamas following a wave of heavy rocket-fire.
Since Saturday, four Palestinian civilians and three militants, including Jabari, have been killed in Gaza, and dozens injured. Eight Israelis have also been hurt. Mr Jabari, who was 46, is the most senior Hamas official to be killed in the Gaza Strip since the major Israeli offensive four years ago.
'Message to Hamas' Israel's Shin Bet security service confirmed he had been targeted, saying he was responsible for "all terrorist activities against Israel from Gaza" in the last decade.
The BBC's Jon Donnison in Gaza City says the sound of gunfire echoed through the streets after Wednesday's air strike, which killed Jabari. "Jabari was responsible for financing and directing military operations and attacks against Israel. His elimination today is a message to Hamas officials in Gaza that if they continue promoting terrorism against Israel, they will be hurt," it said.
'Heinous crime'
Since Saturday, four Palestinian civilians and three militants, including Mr Jabari, have been killed in Gaza, and dozens injured. Eight Israelis have also been hurt.
Hamas spokesman Taher Anunu told BBC Arabic: "This was a heinous crime that will have repercussions.
"The Palestinian government will call for the trial of those responsible for the crime, and for hitting a civilian area, but the Palestinian factions have the right to respond in a way they see fit."
The BBC's Jon Donnison in Gaza City says the sound of gunfire echoed through the streets after Wednesday's air strike which killed Mr Jabari.
There are fears the attack could lead to another war, he adds.There are fears the attack could lead to another war, he adds.
Jabari's bodyguard, who was in the car with the commander of the Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades, is also believed to have died. Earlier reports said it was his deputy.
Shin Bet quickly confirmed the strike, saying in a statement that Jabari had been "eliminated as a result of a joint operation with the Israeli military.
"He was the senior commander of the Hamas military wing in the Gaza Strip. As part of his status and activity, Jabari was responsible in the last decade for all terrorist activities against Israel from Gaza," it said.
"Jabari was responsible for financing and directing military operations and attacks against Israel. His elimination today is a message to Hamas officials in Gaza that if they continue promoting terrorism against Israel, they will be hurt."
Our correspondent says Jabari, 46, was one of Hamas's most senior figures.