Jerusalem. May 12. INTERFAX-The Israeli military said it had eliminated key Hamas intelligence figures.
"Our fighters, together with the security service, eliminated key figures of Hamas intelligence: Hassan Kaogi (head of the security department of Hamas military intelligence) and his deputy, Wail Issa (head of counterintelligence). It looks like our intelligence is better, " said a message posted on the Israeli Army's Twitter page.
Israel launched strikes on Gaza earlier this week in response to rocket attacks on Israeli cities from there.
"In response to the HUNDREDS of rockets fired at Israel over the past 24 hours, the IDF has targeted a number of important terrorist targets and terrorist fighters throughout the Gaza Strip, our most powerful strike since 2014. We are currently launching new strikes against terrorist targets in Gaza, " the army press service said in a tweet.
In total, according to local media reports, Hamas has launched more than 800 rockets into Israeli territory since Monday.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Benny Gantz issued a joint statement on Tuesday evening, saying the violence would continue for some time.
"Hamas and Islamic Jihad have paid, and will continue to pay, for their actions," the statement said.