Israel Airstrike Kills Three Hamas Leaders

Carrie Dedrick | Updated: Aug 21, 2014

Israel Airstrike Kills Three Hamas Leaders

An Israeli airstrike on Thursday (Aug. 21) struck and killed three senior Hamas commanders. The attack targeted a house in the town of Rafah, and killed six people total. The loss of the Hamas leaders will likely serve as a blow to the morale of the militant group. 

The leaders has previously been responsible for digging tunnels into Israel, training militants and smuggling weapons into Gaza, the Associated Press reported. 

Gaza resident Hamza Khalifa recounted the strike saying, "We only heard multiple F-16 (warplane) missiles, one after the other, six or seven missiles.” Khalifa said he did not receive a warning of the attack beforehand. 

It is unknown if this most airstrike will affect the current Hamas strategy. Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri said that Israel “will not succeed in breaking the will of our people or weaken the resistance.” He added that Israel “will pay the price” for their attack. 

Israel, however, seemed unphased by the threat. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu complimented the “precise execution” of the strike the killed the commanders. 

Publication date: August 21, 2014



Israel Airstrike Kills Three Hamas Leaders