The first raid “targeted and killed” the commander of the Islamic militia, responsible for last weekend’s racket attacks on Israel. The second raid killed two militants who had attacked an Israeli patron. The fundamentalists promise revenge.

Jerusalem (AsiaNews/Agencies) – Two Israeli air attacks have killed a commander and two other members of the Islamic Jihad militant group in the Gaza Strip. The first attack took place overnight and targeted militant leader Khalid Shaalan because of his role in firing long-range rockets into Israel at the weekend.

A second strike this morning killed two and injured one Islamic Jihad militant, who had fired an anti-tank missile at soldiers patrolling the security fence near the Kissufim crossing between Israel and Gaza. Palestinian sources report that a further two people were wounded in the attack, one is in serious conditions.

The Gaza Strip is still a theatre of violence between Islamic militants and the Israeli army; despite the truce agreed upon in January, racket attacks from Gaza and Israeli reprisals continue.

In last night’s raid Jerusalem wanted to target a top Palestinian Jihad leader: sources report that Khalid Shaalan was “targeted and killed” for his involvement in the recent launching of missiles against Ashkelon, a village north of the strip.  A further 4 people were injured in the air raid.

A spokesperson from the Al-Quds brigade, the armed wing of Islamic extremism, has promised “revenge attacks”.

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