The commander of the Army of Islam group in the northern Gaza Strip, Muhammad Yassin, was killed after the Volkswagen Golf he was riding in exploded in central Gaza City Wednesday afternoon, Palestinian sources in the Strip reported.
Yassin's brother sustained wounds in the strike and later died; several other people were also wounded hurt in the attack.
The IDF confirmed that a senior Army of Islam terrorist was killed during a joint operation by the IDF and Shin Bet security service. According to the army, he served as the right hand of Army of Islam chief Mumtaz Durmush and was personally involved in planning the abduction of Israeli citizens in the Sinai Peninsula.
Among other operations, Yassin was also responsible for the abduction of British journalist Alan Johnston, who was held hostage by the organization for two months in 2007.
Site of blast in Gaza (Photo AFP)
According to Gaza sources, an Israel aircraft fired at least one missile at the vehicle. Eyewitnesses at the site reported seeing a scorched body inside the vehicle.
The identity of the casualties was not immediately clear, but sources in Gaza told Ynet that the man killed in the explosion was apparently member of Army of Islam.
The group is affiliated with al-Qaeda and one of its senior figures was assassinated about two weeks ago in a joint operation by the IDF and Shin Bet security service.
First published: 17:38, 11.17.10