Israeli air strikes kill Hamas leader

Jerusalem, Jan 2: The bloodbath is continuing in Hamas. It has not even spared children, women and old folks. Now its the turn of leaders. Israel killed a top Hamas figure, Nizar Rayan, a firebrand speaker.

Witnesses said two Israeli fighter jets fired missiles on the home of Nizar Rayan in the Jabaliya refugee camp, killing the hardline firebrand speaker, his four wives, 10 of his children and two neighbours.

More air strikes on Gaza took the death toll from the six-day blitz to at least 420. With tanks and troops massed around the Palestinian enclave for a threatened ground offensive, Israeli warplanes and naval guns staged more than 50 new attacks on Gaza and Hamas sent more rockets deep into Israeli territory.

Rayan was the most senior Hamas figure to be killed by Israel since Abdel Aziz al-Rantissi in 2004. 'Operation Cast Lead' has now left at least 420 Palestinians dead and more than 2,100 wounded, according to Palestinian emergency services.

Four people have been killed and dozens wounded in Israel due to Rocket firing from Gaza. The Dec 31st Israeli strikes also hit the Parliament and Justice Ministry in the main Hamas govt complex.

OneIndia News (With inputs from agencies)