Israel Kills Militants in Gaza Airstrikes

Fire burns at an apartment of an Islamic Jihad commander for northern Gaza, following Israeli airstrikes in Gaza City, May 9, 2023.

Israeli airstrikes early Tuesday killed three senior Islamic Jihad commanders in the Gaza Strip.

Palestinian health officials said the Israeli operation killed at least 12 people and injured 20 others.

The Iran-backed Islamic Jihad militant group confirmed the deaths of its senior members, identifying them as Khalil Bahtini, Tareq Izzeldeen and Jehad Ghanam.

A spokesman for the group said the attack would be met with retaliation.

Israel said the targeted militants were responsible for recent rocket fire toward Israel.

"Any terrorist who harms Israeli citizens will be made to regret it," Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said.

SEE ALSO: Israeli Jets Hit Gaza as Fighting Escalates After Hunger Striker Dies

Tuesday’s airstrikes marked the latest round of actions amid increased tensions. Israeli forces have carried out near-daily raids in the occupied West Bank that Israel says are necessary to prevent attacks, while militants have used rockets to target Israel.

At least 105 Palestinians and 19 Israelis have been killed in the violence this year.

SEE ALSO: Israeli Army Kills 2 Palestinians in West Bank Raid

Editor's note: This story has been updated to correct the area struck by Israel in recent, near-daily raids.

Some information for this report came from The Associated Press, Agence France-Presse and Reuters.