An Israeli airstrike in the Gaza Strip has killed a top Islamic Jihad commander and at least six other people, a day after an Islamic Jihad suicide bomber killed five people in central Israel.
The Israeli military confirmed the Thursday evening helicopter strike near the Jabaliya refugee camp, saying it targeted an Islamic Jihad militant. Palestinians identified him as Shahdi Mohanna, the Islamic Jihad commander for the northern Gaza Strip. They said three other Islamic Jihad activists and three civilians were also among the dead, and at least 15 people were wounded.
Earlier Thursday, Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon announced an offensive he said would not stop until the Palestinian Authority moves decisively to stop militant attacks. He also said he will not hold talks with Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas until the attacks stop.
Some information for this report provided by AP and Reuters.
