The Israel Air Force bombed Hamas offices late Monday night and early Tuesday, destroying the offices of Gaza de facto prime minister Ismail Haniyeh, the Hamas foreign and finance ministries and those of the security services. At least 16 bombs struck three seven-story buildings.
Local sources said 10 people died and 40 others were wounded, bringing the death toll in the three-day counterterrorist operation to more than 360.
Israel Air Force Commander General Ido Nehushtan said that Hamas has "paid a high price" and "must understand that we are prepared to go to the end" to dismantle the terrorist authority, which took control of Gaza in a violent militia war with the rival Fatah faction 18 months ago.
Military officials estimate that aerial bombings have destroyed 50 percent of Hamas's rocket arsenal but warned that the remaining 50 percent can cause extensive damage.
Tank units and ground troops have been deployed at the Gaza separation barrier in what may be preparation for the first ground incursion into Gaza since last February, when Givati troops entered northern Gaza.
However, Israel is facing increasing pressure from the United Nations (UN) and the European Union (EU) to halt the counterterrorist operations.
Israeli Ambassador to the United Nations Prof. Gabriela Shalev told the Associated Press on Monday that Israel's goal in Gaza is to destroy the Hamas authority and not just to stop rocket attacks. She referred to Hamas as a "terrorist gang."
Shalev, who began her post four months ago, rejected appeals for a resumption of the June 19 ceasefire, which never was fully honored and completely broke down early last month after Israel discovered that Hamas terrorists were planning to use a newly-built tunnel to kidnap more Israeli soldiers.
Three people were killed, including a soldier, a woman and a Bedouin construction worker, in rocket and mortar shell attacks Monday on Ashkelon, Ashdod and the Nahal Oz area. The soldier has been identified as Staff Sergeant Lutfi Nasraldin, 38, of the western Galilee village Madleit el-Carmel.
The terrorist attacks have forced the closing of schools Tuesday in Kiryat Gat, Ashdod, Ashkelon, Rahat, Kiryat Malachi and Gaza Belt communities.