In this photo, released by the Egyptian Presidency, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, left, meets with Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi, right, in Cairo Egypt, Tuesday, Nov. 13, 2012. In a meeting in Cairo Tuesday with Western-backed Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, Morsi expressed his "full support" for Palestinian plans to seek nonmember state status at the United Nations.(AP Photo/Egyptian Presidency)
November 14, 2012 - 7:19 AM
JERUSALEM - The Israeli military says its assassination of the Hamas military commander marks the beginning of an operation against Gaza militants.
Wednesday's airstrike in Gaza killed Ahmed Jabari, head of the Hamas military wing. The killing was a dramatic resumption of Israel's policy of assassinating Palestinian militant leaders.
Military spokeswoman Lt. Col. Avital Leibovitch said the attack is the "start of a broader operation."
Jabari is the most senior Hamas official to be killed since an Israeli invasion of Gaza four years ago.
Jabari has long topped Israel's most-wanted list. Israel blames him for a string of attacks, including the kidnapping of Israeli soldier Gilad Schalit in 2006.
Leibovitch said Israel's military chief authorized an operation to target Gaza militants.
News from © The Associated Press, 2012