Hamas says one of its top leaders killed
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Sources said the Israeli rocket attack killed Ibrahim Al-Makadmah, a top commander of Hamas' military wing.
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CNN's Kelly Wallace reports on a new Israeli offensive after a bloody week in Gaza. (March 8)
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SPECIAL REPORT
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GAZA CITY (CNN) -- Four Hamas members -- including a top commander of the Islamic militant group -- were killed when Israeli rockets hit their car Saturday morning, according to Palestinian security and Hamas sources.
Three Israeli Apache helicopters fired at least three rockets on the vehicle, killing Ibrahim Al-Makadmah -- considered a founder of Hamas' military wing, Izzedine al Qassam -- and three of his bodyguards, the sources said.
Six others who were near the vehicle were wounded, including one seriously, according to an official at Shifa Hospital.
Israel Defense Forces had no comment on the attack, but an Israeli security source said Al-Makadmah, 55, was directly responsible for terror attacks in Gaza over the past two-and-a-half years that have killed 28 Israeli soldiers.
The Israeli security source said the Hamas commander was directly involved in planting an explosive that killed four soldiers near the Gaza settlement of Dugit on February 15.
Chief Palestinian Negotiator Saeb Erakat condemned the attack that killed the Hamas members.
"We condemn the Israeli assassination this morning in Gaza and we hold the Israeli government fully responsible for the consequences of such a crime," he said. "I believe this is a deliberate attempt by the Israeli government to sabotage the Palestinian reform programs, including the appointment of a prime minister."
A Hamas spokesman said Al-Makadmah's death was a big loss, and vowed retaliation, saying: "The field is wide open."
Hamas, a Palestinian Islamic fundamentalist organization, has a military wing, Izzedine al Qassam, that has carried out terrorist attacks against Israeli civilians as well as attacks against the Israeli military.
Although it did not claim responsibility, Hamas had lauded a suicide attack in which a powerful explosion destroyed a suburban bus in the northern Israeli port city of Haifa on Wednesday, killing at least 15 Israelis and badly wounding at least 40, Israeli police reported.
Hours later on Wednesday, Palestinian hospital officials said 11 Palestinians were killed and nearly 100 injured Thursday during an Israeli operation near the Jabaliya refugee camp.
CNN Correspondent Kelly Wallace and Producer Talal Aburahma contributed to this report.
