November 17, 2012

Israel has bombed Hamas’ headquarters in Gaza, as Operation Pillar of Defense enters its fourth day, the IDF reported. Overnight Israel’s military targeted 85 more sites in the area.

Witnesses at the scene report massive damage from the strikes.

There were two series of strikes overnight: one at around 3am local time (01:00 GMT), and another at 5am (03:00 GMT). 

Activists reported that bodies were under the rubble of a house hit by the strike in Jabalia, situated in Gaza’s north.

During the second string of strikes the Hamas leadership’s buildings were hit, but they are said to have been empty.

The IDF said it had targeted 85 more sites in the Gaza Strip during the past six hours, including the Hamas Gaza headquarters.

Amid an intensifying air offensive against Gaza, the Israeli cabinet also authorized the call-up of 75,000 reserve troops, reportedly in preparation for the possible ground invasion.

At least 30 Palestinians have already been killed in the assault that has been going on for four days, Ma'an news agency reported. Seven of the casualties were children. Three Israeli citizens also died in the violence.

A Palestinian Hamas security member inspects the destroyed office building of Hamas Prime Minister Ismail Haniya in Gaza City on November 17, 2012 (AFP Photo / Mahmud Hams)

A Palestinian man looks for injured people in the rubble following an Israeli air raid on a house in Beit Lahia, the northern Gaza Strip on November 17, 2012 (AFP Photo / Mohammed Abed)

An injured Palestinian child lies on a hospital bed following an Israeli air raid in Beit Lahia, the northern Gaza Strip on November 17, 2012 (AFP Photo / Mohammed Abed)

Palestinian paramedics assist an injured woman following an Israeli air raid on a house in Beit Lahia, the northern Gaza Strip on November 17, 2012 (AFP Photo / Mohammed Abed)

Palestinian firefighters and rescue personnel work at a blast site following an Israeli air raid in Gaza City on November 17, 2012 (AFP Photo / Marco Longari)

Palestinians inspect the destroyed office building of Hamas Prime Minister Ismail Haniya in Gaza City on November 17, 2012 (AFP Photo / Mahmud Hams)

A wounded Palestinian girl lies on a hospital bed after an Israeli air strike in the northern Gaza Strip November 17, 2012 (Reuters / Ali Hassan)

A Palestinian Hamas policeman looks at an Israeli rocket in the street in Gaza City on November 17, 2012 (AFP Photo / Mahmud Hams)

Palestinians inspect the destroyed office building of Hamas Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh in Gaza City November 17, 2012 (Reuters / Suhaib Salem)

A wounded Hamas policeman guards the destroyed office building of Hamas Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh after Israeli air strikes in Gaza City November 17, 2012 (Reuters / Suhaib Salem)