IAF targets Haniyeh's house

In a 'significant escalation,' the IAF bombed the home of Hamas 'Prime Minister' Ismail Haniyeh overnight. Haniyeh was not home and the IDF is not saying how badly the home was damaged.

The home of Hamas Prime Minster Ismail Haniyeh was bombed by the Israel Air Force overnight Thursday, though the Hamas leader was not home during the strike.

The targeting of Haniyeh's home signifies a significant escalation in the IAF's targeted assassination policy. The IDF began Operation Pillar of Defense to root out the terror infrastructure in Gaza with the targeted killing of Hamas military chief Ahmed Jabari on Wednesday.

Haniyeh's home wasn't the only 'official' target.

Among the major targets struck in Gaza overnight Thursday was a structure belonging to Hamas's Interior Ministry. The IDF also struck the home of Hamas commander in Kahn Yunis, Muhammad Sinwar, who was involved in the kidnapping of IDF soldier Gilad Schalit.

Palestinians reported that three people were killed when the IAF struck a vehicle in northern Gaza overnight Thursday, bringing the Palestinian death toll in Operation Pillar of Defense to 19.

On Thursday night, The IDF shifted infantry brigades and tank columns to the Gaza border, and announced the call-up of 30,000 reservists, as it made preparations for a possible ground incursion into the Gaza Strip.

It's also being reported that an Egyptian delegation headed by Prime Minister Hesham Kandil will visit Gaas on Friday. The delegation will consist of a number of cabinet ministers, annonced Taher a-Nunu, spokesman for the Hamas government. The IAF has agreed not to bomb while the Egyptians are there so long as there is no rocket fire from Gaza. Maybe the south will have a couple of hours of quiet today?