Israeli airstrike kills Islamic Jihad commander

An airstrike on Tuesday killed Bahaa Abu el-Atta and his wife in their home in eastern Gaza. Syrian officials said a separate Israeli strike in the capital city of Damascus targeted another Islamic Jihad commander, Akram al-Ajouri, although he emerged unharmed.

What prompted the Gaza attack? An Israeli army statement said Abu al-Atta was preparing immediate attacks on Israel and called the airstrike a “direct act to remove an imminent threat.” The strike could trigger another round of cross-border unrest. Afterward, Gaza fired more than 50 rockets toward Israel. The Israeli military said it intercepted 20 of them. Israel shut down crossing points into Gaza and ordered civilians along the border and as far as Tel Aviv to stay home.

Dig deeper: Read my report in The Sift on the fragile truce reached in May between Hamas and Israel.