Gaza, Sept. 29 -- Hamas commander Izz al-Din al-Bik was killed in a targeted airstrike overnight in a Gaza City apartment, Israel said on Tuesday, September 29.

In a joint statement, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Israel Katz said Bik had been involved in planning "terrorist" attacks against Israeli forces and recruiting fighters for the organisation.

Israel would continue to "hunt and pursue all of the organisation's terrorists, from its commanders down to its last operative, wherever they may hide - until Hamas no longer exists in Gaza," according to the statement.

A commander of the northern brigade of Hamas' armed wing, al-Bik, took over the Qassam Brigades unit during Israel's military action in Gaz...