Israeli forces have killed a top Islamic Jihad commander in an air raid on his home in Gaza City, unleashing a new spiral of violence.

Shortly after the attack on Tuesday morning that killed Bahaa Abu al-Ata and his wife, salvos of rockets were launched from Palestinian groups in the besieged Gaza Strip into  Israel.

In response to the rocket barrage, dozens of air raids were launched on Gaza. Overall, 26 Palestinians have been killed in the Israeli bombardment in Gaza, according to health officials.

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• Israeli forces kill top Islamic Jihad commander in Gaza attack

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Separately, Syrian state media said a separate missile attack on Tuesday hit the home of Islamic Jihad official Akram al-Ajouri in Damascus, killing two people including one of his sons. Syria said Israel carried out the Damascus attack. Israel did not comment.