JERUSALEM: Israel's military has announced that senior Hamas commander Murad Abu Murad was killed in an airstrike. Israel claims Abu Murad was killed in an airstrike on the headquarters in Gaza that controlled Hamas operations. But there has been no response from Hamas in this regard. It was Abu Murad who gave all the necessary instructions to Hamas for the attack on Israel in the last few days.

At the same time, Israel gave an ultimatum to the people of northern Gaza and Gaza City to leave within twenty-four hours before the army attack. More than 11 lakh people were demanded to vacate within 24 hours. The order is to move beyond forty kilometres. Egypt has closed its border due to fears of an influx of refugees.

Israel says that Hamas terrorists are hiding in underground chambers and houses in residential areas. Israel added that they have no intention of making Gaza part of Israel, but will withdraw only after Hamas is eliminated forever. Centres that operated as part of the UN mission were moved to southern Gaza.

Israel declared war and started airstrikes in Gaza when Hamas launched a surprise attack on entering the country last Saturday. So far 1500 people have been killed in Gaza. In Israel, 1300 people were killed by gunfire and rocket attacks. Yesterday, the Israel Defense Forces reportedly stormed the Sufa outpost and freed around 250 hostages. Sixty Hamas terrorists were killed. There was a rocket attack on Ashkelon, Israel.