A fire burns in a building after the Israeli military struck Islamic Jihad targets, Gaza, May 9, 2023. /Reuters
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said three senior officials of the Islamic Jihad group were killed after airstrikes in Gaza early Tuesday.
Israel called Khalil Bahitini, senior operational officer of al-Quds brigades, the military wing of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad movement (PIJ), "an imminent threat to the security of Israeli civilians" and responsible for all terrorist actions from northern Gaza toward Israel, which included firing of rockets from Gaza toward Israel last month.
The other two targeted were Jahed Ahnam, a senior member of Islamic Jihad's Rocket Force and senior operative of Islamic Jihad Tarek Az Aldin.
Israel said Operation Shield and Arrow continues and the IDF has instructed civilians in the area surrounding Gaza to remain in the vicinity of a designated shelter until Wednesday.
Earlier on Tuesday, Israel announced closure of roads and sites surrounding Gaza and suggested traveling on alternative roads in the areas near the perimeter.
The PIJ has vowed to respond.
As Israeli forces strike, explosions ripped through Gaza early Tuesday morning. The Palestinian health ministry said 12 people were killed and 20 others injured in the Israeli raids.
Russian news agency RIA reported the death of an Russian national in Israeli shelling of the Gaza Strip.
(With input from agencies)
