AL-JAABARI Hamas’ military commander.
HELL FIRE: Palestinians extinguish the flaming car that contained Hamas military chief Ahmed al-Jaabari, who was targeted and killed in an Israeli airstrike in Gaza City yesterday in retaliation for a series of rockets being launched into Israel from the Gaza Strip this week. (
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The Middle East was plunged into turmoil yesterday when Israel launched fierce airstrikes in the Gaza Strip that killed Hamas’ military commander in his car and hammered other targets.
Israel’s “Pillar of Defense’’ operation, which it said was in response to an escalating barrage of rocket fire from Hamas-ruled Gaza, began with the targeted assassination of Ahmed al-Jaabar.
In a video of the strike released by the Israeli military, the sedan in which al-Jaabari was riding in Gaza City suddenly explodes into flames with such force that nothing but a sizzling shell is left.
Israel also released footage of its assaults on what it said were weapons depots and rocket-launching grounds.
At least 10 Palestinians, including two children, were killed, Gaza health officials said.
Israeli defense officials said a ground operation was possible, but no decision has been reached yet and a lot would depend on Hamas’ response.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told the nation that “if there is a need, the military is prepared to expand the operation. We will continue to do everything to protect our citizens.’’
Brig. Gen. Yoav Mordechai, Israel’s chief military spokesman, described al-Jaabari as “the No. 1 terrorist in the Gaza Strip, whose hands are stained with blood.’’
Thousands of Gazans who gathered outside the hospital where his body was taken chanted, “Retaliation!”
Hamas’ armed wing declared that “the occupation has opened the gates of hell.’’
Ismail Haniyeh, the Hamas leader in Gaza, eulogized the slain commander and called for revenge.
“We mourn our late leader who walked the path of jihad while he knew the end, either victory or martyrdom,’’ he said. “There is no fear among our people and our resistance, and we will face this vicious attack.’’
Haniyeh called on Arab states, particularly Egypt, “to suppress this barbaric campaign in defense of Gaza and its people.’’
Egypt responded by recalling its ambassador from Israel.
At the United Nations, the Palestinian Authority asked the Security Council to weigh in on Israel’s assault in Gaza, which its envoy blasted as “illegal criminal actions.’’
But Israel’s UN ambassador countered by asking the international body to condemn “indiscriminate rocket fire against Israeli citizens — children, women.’’
Late yesterday, Israel said its “Iron Dome’’ rocket-defense system intercepted about two dozen rockets that landed in southern Israel.
Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak said, “In the long run I believe the operation will help strengthen the power of deterrence and to return quiet to the south.’’
Israeli President Shimon Peres briefed President Obama yesterday, Peres’ office said in a statement.
“Israel is not interested in stoking the flames, but for the past five days there has been constant missile fire at Israel and mothers and children cannot sleep quietly at night,’’ he was quoted as telling Obama.
In Washington, State Department spokesman Mark Toner said the United States supported Israel’s right to defend itself.
“Hamas claims to have the best interests of the Palestinian people at heart, yet it continues to engage in violence that is counterproductive to the Palestinian cause,’’ he said. “Attacking Israel on a near-daily basis does nothing to help Palestinians in Gaza,’’ Toner said.
With Reuters and AP