By Xinhua,
Gaza : The Israeli army continued its air and ground strikes on different targets in the Gaza Strip since midnight until Sunday morning, killing 24 Palestinians, local medical sources and witnesses said.
At least 12 were killed in separate air strikes and tank shellings in northern Gaza Strip, eastern Gaza City and the east Khan Younis in the southern Strip, said local witnesses.
Israeli aircraft bombed over 60 Hamas targets throughout Gaza Strip overnight, including the house of Ahmed Ja’abri, the top commander of the Hamas armed wing. Ja’abri has been evacuated earlier and is believed to be hiding together with other Hamas leader.
Meanwhile, several Israeli tanks rode into densely-populated area of southern Gaza City on the beach of the Strip. Heavy clashes took place between Israeli soldiers and the militants of the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas). Witnesses said after the confrontation, the Israeli tanks retreated back.
Paramedics later entered this area and found at least 12 Palestinian militants who were killed during the fighting. Since the Israeli offensive began on Dec. 27, at least 878 people have been killed and more than 3,500 wounded, according to Gaza emergency chief Mo’aweya Hassanein.