Special to WorldTribune.com

TEL AVIV — Israel has sought to assassinate Hamas’ rocket and missile commander.

Military sources said the Israel Air Force was targeting Hamas rocket unit chief Ayman Siyam.

The sources said Siyam was believed responsible for the firing of the M-302 long-range rocket, which for the first time struck northern Israel.

“As of now, we have hit Hamas and the other terrorist organizations in
the Gaza Strip very hard,” Israeli Defense Minister Moshe Ya’alon said.

On July 10, Israeli aircraft fired missiles toward Siyam’s car near the southern Gaza town of Rafah. At first, the military claimed that Siyam was killed, but hours later said his vehicle was struck.

“He is continuing in his jihadist actions,” Hamas said. “We call on the media to be accurate and not trust the lies of Israel.”

The sources said Siyam was responsible for missile and rocket
acquisition and production in the Gaza Strip and Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula.
They said the Hamas commander oversaw production of medium-range rockets in
the Gaza Strip over the last 18 months.

Hamas and Islamic Jihad have maintained a barrage of rocket attacks on
cities in southern and central Israel. On July 10, Palestinian gunners fired
into Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. Several of the rockets were said to have landed
in the West Bank, including near the Palestinian Authority seat of
government in Ramallah.

“At this stage, there are no injuries,” a military spokesman said.

  Ayman Siyam, Israel takes aim at Hamas missile chief after first-time, long-range strikes in North, M-302 rocket, Moshe Ya’alon