The Israeli military has killed three senior Hamas military commanders in air strikes on Thursday, said Hamas.
Raed al-Attar, Mohammed Abu Shamala and Mohammed Barhoum, described by Hamas as the "founding generation" of Hamas' military wing, Qassam Brigade, were killed in the southern Gazan town of Rafah.
Raed al-Attar and Mohammed Abu Shamala were considered to be two of the most senior commanders.
A security source told the Jerusalem Post on Thursday "this strike represents a very significant intelligence achievement, and an intelligence infiltration."
The strike comes a day after an assassination attempt against Mohammed Deif, top Hamas commander and chief architect of Hamas' Qassam Brigade. Hamas described the attempt at Deif's life as "failed".
One of Deif's wives and his 7 month old son were killed in the attack, along side four others. Hundreds of Palestinians turned out for their funeral on Wednesday.
Violence between Israel and Hamas resumed on Tuesday after an extended truce and talks in Cairo broke down.
Pledging more air strikes across Gaza, the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu defended the attacks, stating that “no Hamas member is immune."
"Only the guarantee of the safety of Israeli citizens and therefore I will continue to operate with firmness and insistence. Operation Protective Edge is not finished, not for a minute, we are talking about a continued campaign," he added.
Raed al-Attar, Mohammed Abu Shamala and Mohammed Barhoum, described by Hamas as the "founding generation" of Hamas' military wing, Qassam Brigade, were killed in the southern Gazan town of Rafah.
Raed al-Attar and Mohammed Abu Shamala were considered to be two of the most senior commanders.
A security source told the Jerusalem Post on Thursday "this strike represents a very significant intelligence achievement, and an intelligence infiltration."
The strike comes a day after an assassination attempt against Mohammed Deif, top Hamas commander and chief architect of Hamas' Qassam Brigade. Hamas described the attempt at Deif's life as "failed".
One of Deif's wives and his 7 month old son were killed in the attack, along side four others. Hundreds of Palestinians turned out for their funeral on Wednesday.
Violence between Israel and Hamas resumed on Tuesday after an extended truce and talks in Cairo broke down.
Pledging more air strikes across Gaza, the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu defended the attacks, stating that “no Hamas member is immune."
"Only the guarantee of the safety of Israeli citizens and therefore I will continue to operate with firmness and insistence. Operation Protective Edge is not finished, not for a minute, we are talking about a continued campaign," he added.