Terrorist leader killed in IAF strike on Gaza training camp

5 killed including top commander of Islamic Jihad terrorist organization as well as other senior figures in Rafah.

By REUTERS, JPOST.COM STAFF
IAF airstrike Gaza_311 reuters (photo credit: Ibraheem Abu Mustafa / Reuters)
IAF airstrike Gaza_311 reuters
(photo credit: Ibraheem Abu Mustafa / Reuters)
The IAF attacked an Islamic Jihad camp in the southern Gaza Strip on Saturday, killing a commander of the Palestinian faction and four other terrorists, officials on both sides said.
The strike in Rafah followed an unprovoked long-range rocket attack on Israel on Thursday. RELATED:Palestinian rocket fired from Gaza explodes near BeershebaIron Dome battery moved south after Gaza-rocket attacks
Islamic Jihad said an explosion in the training camp killed Ahmed al-Sheikh Khalil, a munitions expert and one of its top commanders, as well as four comrades. An Islamic Jihad source said the dead may include senior figures other than Khalil.
"Those targeted were a group of leaders," the source said.
Doctors said two Palestinians were also wounded in the incident, during which witnesses reported IDF helicopters overhead.
An IDF spokesman confirmed there had been an attack but did not immediately elaborate.
In the West Bank on Saturday, one man was lightly injured when settlers clashed with Palestinians and left-wing activists in Beit Omer near Gush Etzion.
The IDF was called in to disperse the crowd.