The IDF announces a widespread campaign on “terror targets” and begins bombing the Gaza Strip, preparing for a ground operation. This comes after the head of Hamas’ military wing Ahmed Jabari was killed in an Israeli airstrike.

The operation, called “Pillar of Defense”, has been launched by the Israel military. Many of the buildings in downtown Gaza City are on fire after being attacked by Israeli warplanes, RT’s Arabic correspondent Saed Swerky reports on Twitter.

The IDF says all options are on the table in Gaza, including a ground operation.

Israel has started emergency call up of reservists, while saying they are preparing for a ground invasion of Gaza, RT`s Tom Barton reports from Israel.

The strikes caused extensive damage to the long-range missile capabilities and underground weapons storage facilities, the IDF said on Twitter.

The Gaza Education Ministry has announced a suspension of study at Gaza schools and universities due to heavy fire by Israel.

Big explosion occurred near home of Hamas leader, Mahmoud Zahar, Al Arabiya reported.

The death toll from the strikes has risen to nine with some 20 wounded, the Red Cross says.

Jabari was traveling in his vehicle in Gaza City when his car was struck, AP reports, citing witnesses. Reports say Jabari, his son and three other people were killed in the strike.
Smoke rises after an Israeli air strike in the northern Gaza Strip November 14, 2012. (Reuters / Amir Cohen )
Smoke rises after an Israeli air strike in the northern Gaza Strip November 14, 2012. (Reuters / Amir Cohen )

An Israeli strike also targeted Raad Atar, another senior Hamas military wing commander, but he survived, Israeli Ynet reports.

The assassination has "opened the gates of hell," the Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas, were quoted by AFP as saying. The militants vowed to "continue the path of resistance."

The IDF stated on its website that it has launched a "widespread campaign on terror sites and operatives in the Gaza Strip" and Jabari was its first target. He's the highest ranking Hamas official to be killed since 2009, when Israel conducted ground offensive against Gaza.

“The purpose of this operation was to severely impair the command and control chain of the Hamas leadership, as well as its terrorist infrastructure. This was a surgical operation in cooperation with the Israeli Security Agency, that was implemented on the basis of concrete intelligence and using advanced capabilities,” the statement said.

The crackdown follows the recent escalation of violence in the region. The conflict broke out last week when Palestinian militants attacked at an Israeli military jeep.

Israel responded with retaliatory attacks, to which the Gaza Strip replied with heavy rocket fire at southern Israel.

Jabari is the most senior Hamas official to be killed since Operation Cast Lead in Gaza four years ago. He is believed to be behind the notorious abduction and detention of Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit, who was held hostage for more than four years until being released last year as part of a hostage swap deal.

Iran with sincerity is very strategic. They intentionally gave those Hezebolla a very sophisticated guerilla training that Israel dare not bomb them at will like this Hamas just because of Sunni and Shite difference. See politics

When you attack,expect to attacked,and the war game continues!!!

seanet01: Iran with sincerity is very strategic. They intentionally gave those Hezebolla a very sophisticated guerilla training that Israel dare not bomb them at will like this Hamas just because of Sunni and Shite difference. See politics

Did i hear you say sophisticated guerrilla!!! Let hezbolla try and throw missiles into Israel like Hamas are doing,then we will really know how sophisticated they are.

Preparing the ground for a major onslaught on Iran.

Did i hear you say sophisticated guerrilla!!! Let hezbolla try and throw missiles into Israel like Hamas are doing,then we will really know how sophisticated they are.

Ma broda, even the US/Israelis do not doubt Hezbollah sophistication.

Since Israel is occupying Palestinian lands, perhaps the right question to ask is, does Israel have the balls to occupy an inch of land in South Lebanon?

Robert Mugabe's ZANUPF and Nelson Mandela's ANC were widely regarded as terrorists organizations back in the days by Israel, US, UK, France etc during their fights and struggle against White Oppressions in Rhodesia and South Africa. Israel was Apartheid South Africa's closest ally, they worked hand-in-hand on how best to suppress/oppress the Africans/Palestinians. They exchanged military technologies and built Nuclear and biological weapons as a deterrents to African/Arab countries that dares wage any war of liberation for their oppressed brethren. Thank God, the Africans have won their wars of liberation, but the Palestinians havent.

Today most of us have joined the bandwagons of those who once supported the oppressions of Africans in calling the people (Palestinians) they continue to oppress terrorists for continuing the type of fight for which many Africans gave up their lives. It is no wonder the outside world refer to us as Simpletons, for Africans are too simple minded to forget a lot in a hurry.