ISRAELI airstrikes have reportedly destroyed the homes of nine Hamas leaders, weapons stores and a network of terror tunnels in just 20 minutes today.
The Israeli air force claims this morning's strikes killed Hussam Abu Harbid, the commander of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad Northern Division.
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Harbid was responsible for rocket attacks against Israel – including those launched last week, according to the Israeli air force.
He had been a commander in the PIJ for around 15 years.
The IDF shared a video showing the moment they launched a strike on Harbid.
They tweeted: "This is the moment we targeted Islamic Jihad Northern Division Commander in Gaza, Hussam Abu Harbid.
"As an Islamic Jihad commander for 15 years, he was behind rocket launches, shootings, & anti-tank missile attacks on Israel.
"He won't be committing any more terrorist attacks."
Overnight, 54 Israeli jets dropped bombs on 35 targets in Gaza in just 20 minutes.
The Israeli Defence Force said the airstrikes had hit around nine miles of tunnels used by Hamas – referred to as "the Metro" – as well as the homes of top Hamas commanders, which were also used to store weapons.
STRIKES LAUNCHED
The overnight strikes began when Hamas rockets were fired at the Israeli cities of Beersheba and Ashkelon. No injuries were reported.
The IDF then retaliated by launching their own raids, hitting nine homes belong to high-ranking Hamas leaders.
Palestinian media reported that Israel rockets then hit a factory in northern Gaza, sending thick plumes of black smoke into the air.
It comes after Israeli forces buried Hamas enemies alive last week by tricking them into bolting underground — and then blitzing their network of tunnels.
Commanders tweeted that an attack on the Gaza Strip was underway at the same time that a bombardment from jets, tanks and gunboats erupted.
Hamas fighters scurried to grab hidden weapons to prepare for an expected surge of Israeli troops.
But the tweet was fake, and devastating bunker-buster air strikes then rained down on 150 targets.
Scores are believed to have died as the tunnels were smashed by 450 missiles in 40 minutes. More than 160 aircraft led the assault and top brass announced a “complex” operation had been a success.
The bombing blitz between Israel and Hamas has resulted in 60 children being killed, as deadly fighting in the Middle East continues for a second week.
Hamas claimed today's strikes were a "pre-meditated killing".
The UN Security Council met yesterday to discuss diplomatic efforts to end the violence.
However, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu said in a televised speech: “Our campaign against the terrorist organisations is continuing with full force.
“We are acting now, for as long as necessary, to restore calm and quiet to you, Israel's citizens. It will take time.”
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