Israeli planes attack Islamic Jihad leader

Israeli warplanes today bombed a house under construction in Gaza City, about 200 yards from the home of Islamic Jihad leader Abdullah Shami who apparently escaped injury.

There were no immediate reports of casualties, but rescue workers dug through the rubble of the bombed house, and firefighters put out a small fire in the area.

The air strike hit the Shijaiyeh neighbourhood in eastern Gaza City. F16 warplanes dropped a bomb on a two-storey building under construction, destroying most of it. Shami’s house was damaged by the blast.

Israel has carried out dozens of air strikes against Palestinian militants in the city, including targeted killings of wanted men.

Islamic Jihad has claimed responsibility for a suicide bombing that killed 21 Israelis earlier this month in the Israeli port city of Haifa.