Israel targets Hamas leaders with airstrikes

After Egypt's attempt at a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas failed, bombings resumed. Israel's cabinet had approved the ceasefire — and after Hamas refused, Israel responded Wednesday morning by targeting the homes of four Hamas leaders with airstrikes.

The Hamas leaders targeted include Mahmoud Zahar, Jamila Shanti, Fathi Hamas, and Ismail Ashkar, The Associated Press reports. Zahar was involved with 2007's Hamas takeover of Gaza, and the other three targets were members of the Palestinian parliament in 2006. Israel also asked tens of thousands of residents of the town of Beit Lahiya and Gaza City's Zeitoun and Shijaiyah neighborhoods to leave their homes Wednesday morning to avoid airstrikes.

The Associated Press reports that after nine days of fighting, the Palestinian death toll is at 204, with another 1,450 wounded. In Israel, meanwhile, one man has been killed and several more have been wounded.

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