Israeli forces kill top Islamic Jihad commander in Gaza air raid

An Israeli air strike killed a top commander of the Palestinian group Islamic Jihad in the besieged Gaza Strip on Tuesday and fighters responded by firing a barrage of rockets towards Israel.

Islamic Jihad's armed wing announced the killing of Bahaa Abu al-Ata in a statement after Israel confirmed it targeted the 42-year-old leader.

Four Palestinians were killed in new Israeli air and missile strikes on Gaza on Wednesday, the territory's health ministry said, taking the day's death toll to six.

Israel launched deadly strikes against commanders of Palestinian militant group Islamic Jihad early Tuesday triggering a wave of tit-for-tat rocket salvos and air strikes that have killed 16 Palestinians in two days.

The Israeli military said more than 250 rockets have been fired at Israeli communities since the latest violence erupted.