Israeli Jet Destroys Hamas Leader's House in Gaza
12 July 2006
Palestinian officials say an Israeli airstrike on a Gaza house where Hamas militants were meeting killed nine members of one family, including seven children.
They say the strike early Wednesday wounded at least 35 other people. But Hamas's armed wing says the target of the strike, top Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades commander Mohammed Deif, escaped unharmed. The group has vowed to avenge the attack.
Deif is one of Israel's most wanted men. Israel blames him for several Palestinian suicide bombings.
Palestinian officials say two other Israeli strikes killed two Palestinians and wounded three in the Gaza Strip.
Israel, meanwhile, is expanding its military offensive to find an Israeli soldier abducted by militants last month and to stop Palestinian rocket attacks. Israeli troops and tanks Wednesday pushed into central Gaza for the first time.
Witnesses say Israeli soldiers were operating in the towns of Khan Younis and Deir el-Balah.
Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert approved the expansion of the offensive Tuesday.
More than 60 Palestinians have been killed since Israel began its military operations in Gaza two weeks ago.
Some information for this report was provided by AP and Reuters.
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