Islamic Jihad says operative killed in Gaza strike

Al-Quds Brigades claim operative's car targeted by IAF missile; IDF denies strike in Strip

Elior Levy|Published: 09.07.11 , 22:18

Palestinian sources reported Wednesday that one man was killed in an Air Force strike in Gaza Strip. The IDF Spokesperson’s Unit denied a strike on the Strip took place.

The man, who was killed when an IAF missile struck his car west of Deir al-Balah, in central Gaza Strip, was later identified as an Islamic Jihad operative.

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The al-Quds Brigades, Islamic Jihad's military wing, issued a statement confirming the man's affiliation.

Adham Abu Salamia, spokesman for Gaza's emergency services, said that one man was killed in the strike and several others were wounded.

An Islamic jihad spokesman said: "This is a clear violation of the ceasefire. Israel is trying to provoke members of the resistance." He added that the Islamic Jihad reserves the right to retaliate.

Shortly after the strike, Palestinian sources claimed that the IDF targeted a terror cell east Jabalya, as it was gearing to launch rockets at Israel. According to the sources, the cell was not harmed.

Earlier Wednesday, two Qassam rockets fired from Gaza exploded in open areas in the western Negev. No injuries or damage were reported.

On Tuesday, a Popular Resistance Committees' military wing commander in Gaza was killed by IDF forces performing routine activity in central Gaza.

Palestinian sources identified the man as 23-year-old Khaled Sahmoud, a commander in the PRC's Salah a-Din Brigades. The PRC claimed that he managed to fire five mortar shells at Israel before being killed.