GAZA: An Israeli airstrike killed a top commander of the Palestinian group Islamic Jihad in the besieged Gaza Strip on Tuesday and fighters responded by firing a barrage of rockets towards Israel, officials said.

Islamic Jihad’s armed wing announced the killing of Bahaa Abu al-Ata in a statement after Israel confirmed it targeted the 42-year-old leader.

Separately, the Palestinian group said Israel also attacked the home of one of its political leaders in the Syrian capital, Damascus.

(Agencies)