Israeli aircraft attack Gaza

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) claimed to have killed three top members of the Islamic Jihad militant group, including Khalil Bahtini, Jahad A'Nam, and Tarek Ezz Al-Din. The strikes took place around 2am local time and left at least 20 people injured in addition to the 12 killed. The IDF issued a rare statement confirming its operations in Gaza, claiming to have killed three top members of the Islamic Jihad militant group, including Khalil Bahtini, Jahad A'Nam, and Tarek Ezz Al-Din. The IDF instructed Israelis living near the border with Gaza to stay close to a “protected area,” such as a basement or bomb shelter. The death of top Islamic Jihad leaders could stoke a harsh response. In 2019, the assassination of another senior member, Bahaa Abu el-Atta, triggered days of heavy fighting, with militants firing a flurry of rockets towards Israeli cities.