Special to WorldTribune.com

TEL AVIV — Israel has resumed targeting Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

The Israel Air Force struck what was described as a senior Hamas commander in the first major operation since the launch of the Palestinian Authority unity government on June 2.

The commander, killed on late June 11, was identified as Mohammed Adwar, deemed a planner of attacks on Israel.

“This was a pre-emptive strike,” Israeli military spokesman Lt. Col.
Peter Lerner said.

Officials said the 30-year-old Adwar was tracked and targeted in an
operation by the military and Israel Security Agency. They said Adwar
directed attacks on Israel from his post as a police commander in the
northern Gaza Strip.

A military statement said Adwar had planned to fire surface-to-air
missiles toward an Air Force helicopter that flew near the Gaza Strip. The
statement said Adwar was working with so-called “jihadist elements,” a
reference to Al Qaida-aligned militias financed by Qatar.

Adwar was deemed responsible for several rocket attacks on Israel. Hours
before his death, Palestinian gunners fired a Kassam-class short-range missile into the Jewish state.

“Our policy is clear: kill those who rise up to kill us,” Israeli Prime
Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said. “The IDF and ISA carried out a precise
operation and will continue to take strong action
against all those who try to attack the security of Israel’s citizens.”

  Gaza Strip, Israel answers Palestinian ‘unity government’ with pre-emptive strike killing Hamas commander, Lt. Col. Peter Lerner, Mohammed Adwar