The military stated that the three men targeted were culpable for recent rocket attacks against Israel.
Israel bombed the Gaza Strip overnight in an attempt to eliminate three senior leaders of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) group. Among the casualties were young children.
Multiple sites associated with the organization were also eliminated, including a rocket factory and a facility for producing tunnel concrete.
The Palestinian health ministry reported 13 deaths and 20 injuries.
According to Islamic Jihad, the deceased also includes the spouses and children of the three commanders.
The Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) called the targets “terrorist kingpins” and warned of civilian fatalities.
Forty aircraft were utilized in the “Shield and Arrow” operation, which began at 2 a.m. and was dubbed.
“It was a convergence of intelligence, timing, and weather,” said a military spokesperson.
Airstrikes continued early on militant training camps, the top floor of a Gaza City apartment complex and a Rafah home.
Roads were closed in Israeli cities near Gaza, and residents were urged to stay close to bomb shelters; Israel also announced the activation of some military reserves.
Images on social media showed batteries for iron dome missile interceptors being transported to the front lines.
Tel Aviv has opened public explosives shelters in anticipation of a response from Gaza. An Israeli defense minister has stated that “the campaign is not over” and that they are prepared for “any scenario.”
Hamas terrorists, who fought in 2021, could escalate the conflict.
To dissuade Hamas officials, Israeli security minister Israel Katz informed Tel Aviv radio station 103 FM they may be assassinated.
Khalil Bahitini, who oversaw PIJ operations in northern Gaza, Tarek Azaldin, who allegedly coordinated attacks in the West Bank from Gaza, and Jahed Ahman, a senior member of the group’s military council, were verified dead by the IDF.
The funerals are anticipated to occur on Tuesday morning.
The explosives killed the children of commanders Hajar Al Bihtini, Mayar Izz el-Din, and Ali Izz.
Lord Tariq Ahmed of Wimbledon referred to the reported fatalities of civilians and children as “tragic” on behalf of the British government and other governments in response to the overnight Israeli attacks on Gaza.
Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh said Israel would “pay the price” for the killings.
“Assassinating the leaders with a treacherous operation will not bring security to the occupier, but rather more resistance,” he said in a statement.
Schools near the Gaza border will close today, people must stay near bomb shelters, and numerous communities have been evacuated.
The Erez crossing between Gaza and Israel has been closed, and outdoor assemblies have been prohibited.
Israel’s Home Command has placed reservists on standby and is prepared for further action.
The strikes were unexpected, and Islamic Jihad has yet to respond, but they follow a brief but intense 24-hour period last week in which nearly three dozen rockets were launched at Israel in response to the death of a prominent Palestinian prisoner from a hunger strike.
