Israel military: Hamas assassination is beginning of an operation against Gaza militants

The Associated Press

JERUSALEM - 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."

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.