Special to WorldTribune.com

TEL AVIV — Israel was said to have destroyed Hamas military headquarters in the Gaza Strip.

Military sources said the Israel Air Force targeted a 13-story building in Gaza City that contained the Hamas command center. They said the building was leveled and senior commanders were killed on Aug. 23 after civilians had been evacuated.

“I call on the inhabitants of Gaza to evacuate immediately from every site from which Hamas is carrying out terrorist activity,” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said. “Every one of these places is a target for us.”

The attack on the Hamas headquarters in the apartment building was said to mark a policy that targeted the command in the Gaza Strip. The sources said the Israeli intelligence community as well as the air force were identifying and tracking Hamas and Jihad commanders.

The Air Force also targeted the Hamas Interior Ministry, also located in Gaza City. The sources said the attack on the ministry, which oversees Hamas security forces, did not incur civilian casualties.

On Aug. 24, the Air Force was said to have targeted and killed Mohammed Al Ghoul. The military identified Al Ghoul as a Hamas financier.

The military was also trying to halt Palestinian mortar fire from the Gaza Strip toward nearby Israeli communities. The sources said the Air Force was also countering intensified Hamas surface-to-air missile operations.

“These are high-quality SAMs,” another source said.

Hamas and Islamic Jihad have responded with heavy rocket fire. On Aug. 24, the two groups were said to have fired nearly 150 mortars and rockets, targeting Tel Aviv and Jerusalem.

“This can continue for more time or less,” Defense Minister Moshe Ya’alon said.

  Benjamin Netanyahu, Gaza Strip, Israel levels apartment building housing Hamas military command emptied of civilians, kills prominent Hamas financier, Mohammed Al Ghoul, Moshe Ya’alon