Israeli airstrike kills Hamas militant chief

GAZA (AP) - Hamas officials in the Gaza Strip said an Israeli airstrike had killed the commander of its military wing Ahmed Jabari.

He was the most senior Hamas official to be killed since an Israeli invasion of Gaza four years ago.

The militant chief had long topped Israel's most-wanted list. It blamed him for a string of attacks, including the kidnapping of Israeli soldier Gilad Schalit in 2006.

Witnesses said the Hamas chief was travelling in his vehicle in Gaza city when his car exploded.