Israeli missile hits house of Hamas Gaza leader Haniyeh

No casualties in attack according to Palestinian sources; Hamas says its TV station was targeted but it continued to operate.

By REUTERS
Palestinians stand by the rubble of the home of Hamas Gaza leader Ismail Haniyeh in Gaza City (photo credit: REUTERS)
Palestinians stand by the rubble of the home of Hamas Gaza leader Ismail Haniyeh in Gaza City
(photo credit: REUTERS)
GAZA - An Israeli aircraft fired a missile at the house of Hamas Gaza leader Ismail Haniyeh early on Tuesday causing damage but no casualties, Gaza's interior ministry said.
An Israeli military spokeswoman had no information on the report but was checking for details.
Haniyeh's son confirmed the strike on his Facebook page and added that the house was empty during the strike.
Hamas said that its TV station Al-Aqsa TV was also targeted but the station continued to broadcast.
Israel launched its Gaza offensive, Operation Protective Edge, on July 8, saying its aim was to halt rocket attacks by Hamas and its allies. It later ordered a land invasion to find and destroy the warren of Hamas tunnels that crisscrosses the border area.
As night fell over Gaza, army flares illuminated the sky and the sound of intense shelling could be heard. The military warned thousands of Palestinians to flee their homes in areas around Gaza City - usually the prelude to major army strikes.
A number of rockets fired from Gaza were launched toward various regions in southern and central Israel, including the Tel Aviv area. At least one of the rockets was intercepted by the Iron Dome system. No casualties or damage were reported.
Some 1,085 Gazans have reportedly died in the 22-day-old conflagration. Israel has lost 53 soldiers and another three civilians have been killed by Palestinian shelling.