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Subscribe to RSSIsraeli leaders indicate that a new offensive against Islamic militant commanders is underway. NBC's Martin Fletcher reports.
Updated at 10:46 p.m. ET: TEL AVIV -- The head of the militant wing of the Palestinian Hamas movement and seven others were killed as Israel launched a series of airstrikes in Gaza Wednesday, officials said.
Hamas spokesman Fauazy Brehom told NBC News that Ahmed Jabari was killed in the attack by Israeli forces. Jabari was the most senior commander of Hamas' military wing, the Ezzidine Al-Qassam Brigades.
A statement from the Al-Qassam Brigades said that Israel had “opened the gates of hell.”
President Barack Obama spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Wednesday, urging him to avoid civilian casualties. The president reiterated the United States' support for Israel's right to self-defense following rocket attacks launched from Gaza.
Obama also spoke Wednesday with Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi because of the country's central role in preserving regional security. Obama condemned the rocket fire from Gaza into Israel and reiterated Israel's right to self-defense. The two leaders agreed on the importance of working to deescalate the situation quickly and they agreed to stay in touch in coming days.
In a frequently updated live blog chronicling the attacks, the Israel Defense Forces claimed it had targeted "dozens" of Hamas’ medium-range underground rocket launch sites and other weapons storage facilities. The report said Israel had also intercepted 17 rockets fired from Gaza.
"If I were a senior Hamas activist - I would look for a place to hide," IDF spokesman Brgi. Gen. Yoav (Poly) Moredechai said in a statement published online.
Moredechai said the possibility of a ground invasion would not be ruled out, and emphasized that all options remain on the table. "Infantry brigades have been shifted in preparation for the operation," his statement read. "All options that allow us to cause seriously damage to Hamas and the other terrorist organizations are on the table."
A statement from the Israeli embassy blamed Hamas for launching 150 rockets at Israel's south over the past week.
Darren Whiteside / Reuters
Smoke rises after Israeli air strikes in the northern Gaza Strip on Nov. 14. Israel launched a major offensive against Palestinian militants in Gaza on Wednesday, killing the military commander of Hamas in an air strike and threatening an invasion of the enclave that the Islamist group vowed would "open the gates of hell."
"Israel has the right and duty to defend itself from terrorist attacks designed to kill thousands of its citizens," Israeli Ambassador to the United States Michael Oren said. "We are sending an unequivocal message that our citizens will not be hostage to terrorist missile fire and cross-border attacks. The scope of the IDF's defensive operation depends on Hamas and whether it takes the decision to cease firing missiles on our neighborhoods and homes."
Jabari is the most senior Hamas official to have died due to Israeli military action since the killing of Saeed Seyam four years ago.
Sources at the Kamal Adwan and Al-Shifa hospitals said a total of eight people had been killed and 80 injured.
A statement on the IDF website said that Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Benny Gantz had “approved an expansive strike against terrorist organizations in Gaza.”
Ali Ali / EPA
Emergency services extinguish the burned out destroyed car of Qassam top leader Ahmed Jabari after an Israeli air strike in Gaza City on Wednesday, Nov. 14, 2012.
“As a part of the program, a short while ago, the Israeli Air Force (IAF) struck Ahmed al-Jabari and other senior officers of Hamas' Military Wing, who were involved in planning and implementing dozens of attacks, including the kidnapping of SFC [Israeli soldier] Gilad Shalit,” it said.
The airstrike took place in central Gaza, according to the statement, which was headlined "Chief of Hamas' Military Wing Ahmed al-Jabari assassinated." The headline was later changed to "Senior Hamas operative targeted," and the statement dropped the reference to Shalit.
The statement quoted IDF spokesman Mordechai as saying military action began following the "intolerable situation in the south of the country, and seeks to harm terrorist organizations operating in the Gaza Strip."
'Forward base for Iran'
The IDF later announced it had begun "Operation Pillar of Defense." Israel confirmed there had been several airstrikes.
Hamas Office via Reuters, file
Ahmed Al-Jabari, top commander of Hamas armed wing Al-Qassam brigades, poses for a picture after a prisoner swap deal between Hamas and Israel, in Cairo, in this October 18, 2011 file photo.
In another update, the statement said the IDF had "targeted a significant number of long range rockets sites ... owned by Hamas. This deals a significant blow to the terror organizations' underground rocket launching capabilities and munitions warehouses that are owned by Hamas and other terror organizations."
"The Gaza strip, has turned it into a forward base for Iran, firing rockets and carrying out terrorist attacks against Israeli citizens. The IDF will continue to target terrorist sites that are used to carry out terror attacks against Israeli citizens," it said.
"The IDF will continue to target sites that are used for carrying out terror attacks against the citizens of Israel while improving their daily security," it added.
An IDF statement Monday said more than 120 rockets fired from Gaza had hit Israel since Saturday and that the Israeli air force had responded with airstrikes on a number of sites.
Jabari had survived numerous assassination attempts in the past and had served close to a decade in an Israeli jail, according to NBC's Ayman Mohyeldin.
He was widely considered the second most important figure within Hamas' overall structure after Khaled Mishaal, the head of the organization’s political bureau.
Uriel Sinai / Getty Images
Israeli children play games at a bomb shelter on Nov. 14 in Netivot, Israel. Israel Defense Forces launched aerial attacks on targets in Gaza that killed the top military commander of Hamas.
Jabari was instrumental in negotiations about the release of Shalit, Mohyeldin said. Jabari was rarely seen in public and even more seldom filmed but he was seen accompanying Shalit to the border crossing with Egypt ahead of his handover.
US reacts; Israeli ambassador leaves Egypt
U.S. State Department spokesman Mark Toner said the United States "strongly" condemns the rocket fire from Gaza into southern Israel.
"There is no justification for the violence that Hamas and other terrorist organizations are employing against the people of Israel," Toner's statement read. "We call on those responsible to stop these cowardly acts immediately. We support Israel's right to defend itself, and we encourage Israel to continue to take every effort to avoid civilian casualties."
Egypt's foreign minister called Israel's airstrikes on Gaza a dangerous escalation at a critical time for the region, and called on the Israeli government to quickly halt the offensive.
Egypt's ruling Freedom and Justice Party condemned the killing of Jabari, and said Israel was using the military operation as a card in its own political game, ahead of elections in January. The party called on the international community and Arab states to act immediately to stop the massacre against the Palestinian people, adding that Israel's attacks were meant to create instability in the region.
Airport sources in Egypt confirmed to NBC News that the Israeli ambassador and other Israelis were leaving Cairo Wednesday night.
The U.N. chief also called on Israel and Palestinian Hamas militants to prevent an escalation of hostilities, urging both sides to ensure civilians will be protected, a U.N. spokesman said Wednesday.
"The Secretary-General calls for an immediate de-escalation of tensions," U.N. spokesman Martin Nesirky said, adding that it was a reiteration of Ban's already-stated position.
"Both sides should do everything to avoid further escalation and they must respect their obligations under international humanitarian law to ensure the protection of civilians at all times," he told reporters.
A Palestinian rocket fired from the Gaza Strip struck a house in southern Israel today, causing damage but no injuries. NBCNews.com's Dara Brown reports.
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Israel fires into Syria for second day, scores 'direct hits'
NBC's Ian Johnston, Ayman Mohyeldin, NBC News staff and Reuters contributed to this report.
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The gates of hell are always open and all Hamas use the express lane please!
So goes the bloody business of the day...
Air strikes by Israel and Drone strikes by the Western powers (America is not the only country using them). Are considered some of the most cowardly acts of aggression in history. (not necessarily in that order)
Eventually, this type of... "surgical" action will be turned on our country.
I wonder ...
Given a level playing field.. How long would Israel or for that matter, the United States last in the middle of a sea of hatred?
These "tit for tat" operations only serve to prolong the agony.
These surgical strikes are the most effective channel of eliminating a target. Of course, as you well know, the muslim terrorists do not care about that. They will send a suicide bomber with a car filled with explosives and blow it up in the middle of a crowd. The picture of precision speaks for itself.
Ok, I will agree that the strikes are effective in removing a specific target. However, I ask... What does it accomplish? My opinion is that it does not serve the purpose of a peacefull resolution. I'm not saying that I think Israel should roll over and play dead. I'm saying, that if it is war.. then let the maelstrom loose and end it.
Well done Israel. Obama is weak. He got no balls, probably will apologies later.
Free Palestine
This never has been, still is not, and never will be a Palestine as long as they continue to try establish one with violence and terrorism. Why would anyone allow that?
They can "free" themselves. A good start would be for them to try getting along with their Arab neighbors, like Jordan, for instance who pushes them out, and to stop lobbing rockets into Israel. Why do their Arab neighbors dislike them, so?
They've had numerous opportunities for statehood, but, as their leadership doesn't want statehood, they never miss an opportunity to miss an opportunity. They want Israel gone. Peace and statehood aren't part of that plan. It really is that simple. Having a country is harder than building refugee camps and fighting for a bogus cause (ask Mrs. Arafat as she languishes in all that French luxury). They are driven by a barbaric religion that brainwashes them into suicide bombings and rocket attacks. They continue a fruitless and bloody campaign of terrorism that certainly does NOT help them. How many more "Palestinian pawns" will Hamas send to their deaths? The Israelis pulled out of Gaza in '05 and then rockets started coming from there. Land for peace? Turns out it was "land for rocket attacks". Just another lie to help them keep up their campaign to destroy Israel.
I see it as simple Jew hatred. They don't hate the Jews because of Israel, they hate Israel because of Jews.
HUH!!??? Youd better go back and check your history! Isreal had an original border that was drawn up in the forties after the war. Israel has gone over that line quite a bit. So in a sense the Israelis gave the Palastinians back their own land. Gee what nice people! Also I think Palastine is seeking statehold in the UN which Isreal keeps disrupting.The Israelis take their land and then wont even give them a fair equal shot at the table. I dont know about you ,but Id be pissed off too! Israel should have been set up in Germany.
Its as simple as people taking more land that doesnt belong to them!!!
Had Israel NOT been immediately attacked by her several Arab neighbors, they wouldn't have had their asses handed to them by Israel and lost land. Israel "had a bit more steel in her blood than the Arabs bargained for". The land Israel gained came as a direct result of that, and the several other attacks on her. Land is a "spoil of war" Israel DID NOT initiate.
The "Palestinians" have had at least three genuine opportunities for statehood off the top of my head. They chose Hamas. They DO NOT want a state. They want to destroy Israel.
Imagine Canada and Mexico attacking the US. What, exactly would be your advice? What would be your actions as an American?
Jarrod, you are too stupid to even address. lol Israel in Germany? Where is your head? I think you meant to say, the Jews should have a land in Germany. But that just shows you are still ignorant. I can't say anymore clearly, ludicrous ignorance, abounding in your comment. I can't believe you do not understand how important it is for Israel to block, what they are trying to do through the U.N. Go away.
Keep lobbing rockets! At what point will they learn? The Israelis ALWAYS hit back harder. That's Israel's publically stated policy. No mystery here except why they still persist with their attacks. Hamas' stated and demonstrated policy is to "destroy Israel". How many more will Hamas send to die?
mutatedspecies1 banned for wishing genocide on an entire group of people.
No thanks.
ytxjkl/hhhhcm.m b
aww......too bad. i miss this worthless POS already
Hey prsshredder, this comment section is for grown ups! I think youd better leave and dont come back until you mature some. Sry little buddy!
Pass me a kleenex so I can cry me a river for this terrorist.
SPOILER ALERT. I read the book; Israel wins !!!
According to the book-yes and no. It is a little more complicated than that. But the bottom line is-evil looses.
Go Isreal!!!
Seems to me the person/people who flew a fighter jet into another country and bombed some1 driving a car would be the terrorist!
JARROD, Please, please go away. Your ignorant comments, hurt my brain.
I wonder if this will help stabalize Gaza and improve diplomatic relations with Israel's neihboring nations and the support Israel enjoys from all the nations throughout the world?
jeff-573598--it only takes those two words to say it all.
"Assainated", was a poor word choice. It smacks of yellow journalism, no matter who said it or who published it. Senationalism just stirs up more muck. Some want to wallow, others prefer a clean approach. It was a good hit and in the target's eye he is now a martyr which is exactly what he and others like him pray for.
Too bad Ambassador Stevens did not call Israel when the consulate came under attack, if he had, he might still be alive today.
Sadly, your comment is funny, and may be true.
THAT is the $1,000,000 question of the decade-I like your thinking. The political, military, and diplomatic implications keep on expanding the more I consider it.........wow!
TARZAN, that is a very good point. And is probably very true. Israel doesn't mess around or curtail an issue, unlike the celebrity, who runs our country.
dam..I LOVE Israel!! total badass,s we here should take a page from them. and the author who wrote this story is bias you can tell..."assassinated" .i dont think so...he was killed for being a DH and a murderer. and hamas finally admitted they are evil.."opened the gates of hell" ok....keep popping away IDF you guys rock!!
dam..I LOVE Israel!! total badass,s we here should take a page from them. and the author who wrote this story is bias you can tell..."assassinated" .i dont think so...he was killed for being a DH and a murderer. and hamas finally admitted they are evil.."opened the gates of hell" ok....keep popping away IDF you guys rock!!
Nice car!
the bon fire is even better.
The jihadist fate is sealed, at least 5/6th of them. A softer target than Israel is the Vatican; its future is cold as hell too.
As hard as I try, there's no way I can feel any amount of sorrow regarding the demise of this member of such a heinous group of terrorists. As far as I'm concerned, he chose this life, to push his political and fanatical agenda by the slaughtring of innocents. he got what was coming to him. The only true question is, "What took so long?"
Even better yet, test one of those DNA biological weapons that makes only Middle Eastern men sterile for life. In about 50 years, we can rid ourselves of the warring Muslims and send a lesson to the rest of Muslims around the world that they had better behave or suffer the consequences.
Wonder if we can get one of those for Catholic and Baptist men? That might stop some of the incest and child rapes. And eliminate those pesky birth control questions.
billthepill, Sorry, but you can't pin pedophilia on the religious, only, theory. It's a 'male' problem and a sick and evil one at that. So I guess by your analogy, we should kill all males. This article is a political issue, not a social one. It is about a country defending itself against billions who want to annihilate them. Don't trivialize it, by side tracking the topic with your issues with Christians, or those who claim to be.
Hah! The Gates of Hell opened and one Hamas terrorist walked through a bit gimpily with an Israeli missle lodged firmly in his murdering ass. The Gates will stay open for a few additional days so Israel can send a few more PLO bastiches through. And all of you whiny, bleeding heart PLO sympathizers feel free to walk through too, and please take all of of them sore loser Texans with you. They can start their own Republic of Righteous Inbred Retards there. Idiots, one and all.
I want to move to Texas now too. Secede from Obamacare, and Michelle who hates white folks, and Obama who wants to take away, our clinging to our bibles and guns, freedom.
Dear Israel....Get your People and your Settlements off West Bank land and release the prisoners in the concentration camp called Gaza so that they may try and create a nation for themselves. Stop your parcel by parcel land grabbing of West Bank territory and your expansionist ways so that we may have peace. YOU Israel are the problem. NOT the Palastinians who are all but starved to death whilest watching their land be stolen from them....CUT OFF ALL AID TO ISRAEL UNTIL THEY COMPLETELY LEAVE THE WEST BANK NOW....
I think I know where the next missile is going to land.
Tebow, no actually it is comments like that, that is the problem.
And what a concentration camp it is!!! I can't afford it - too pricey for me. :(
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotels-g660378-West_Bank_and_Gaza-Hotels.html
have to wonder if the Emir is already having buyer's remorse.
http://worldnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2012/10/23/14636490-emir-of-qatar-visits-hamas-ruled-gaza-strip-pledges-400-million?commentId=71351556#c71351556
really amazing the way foreign countries can invest in concentration camps, isn't it???
watch and learn.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YHbCGC6amdk&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ZtiUdl9Cd0
You mean 'Hamas TERRORIST chief." Good riddance. Of course, someone from Iran will replace him soon, no doubt.
Israel needs to move into Gaza in force, and reoccupy. It is nothing but a haven for terrorists under Hamas.
Israel, should take it back, flatten it and make it a tourist destination for the World. The Palestinians don't respect anything, lie, steal, murder shoot rockets at Israel. The Israeli's have shown great restraint.
Good! keep up the good work. Show American leaders how to deal with the scum. Our ambassador to Libya was assassinated and we do absolutely nothing. We send in our F.B.I. ....Watch out terrorists. Where are the hookers? Its vacation time for the feds.