Top Jihad Member Killed in Gaza

[Guest Lottie]

A top commander of the Palestinian militant group Islamic Jihad has been killed in a suspected Israeli air strike in Gaza City, the group says.

Bashir al-Dabbash and another Islamic Jihad member were killed when their car was destroyed in the huge blast, a spokesman for the group said.

Witnesses said Israeli aircraft launched two missiles - the Israeli army has so far declined to comment.

It comes as the Israeli army continues a major operation in northern Gaza.

The BBC's correspondent Alan Johnston says Gaza City was shaken by a huge explosion just as the sun was setting.

An enormous cloud of black smoke rose over a district near the sea, he said.

Week-long operation

Bashir al-Dabbash is one of the most senior militants killed in Gaza since Hamas leader Abdel-Aziz al-Rantissi was assassinated in April.

Militants carried his body from the wreck of the car, firing into the air and chanting vows of revenge.

"Islamic Jihad will not be broken by this martyrdom," said a political leader in Gaza, Khaled al-Batsh.

"Islamic Jihad's armed wing will return this strike with tougher strikes against the Zionist entity."

Israel has been engaged in a week-long army operation around the Jabaliya refugee camp in northern Gaza.

About 70 Palestinians are reported to have been killed in the offensive - including 30 civilians.

The operation is aimed at militants Israel blames for launching rockets from Gaza into neighbouring southern Israel.

Source