Israel Airstrikes In Gaza Strip Kill 13, Including Children

At least 12 people, including women and children, have been killed after Israel launched a series of airstrikes in the Gaza Strip.

The Palestinian Health Ministry confirmed the presence of women and children among the dead but did not immediately give further details on the identity of the victims.

According to an Agence France-Presse (AFP) journalist in Gaza, ambulances were evacuating victims while the top of a building was on fire immediately after the strikes.

Israel claimed that they targeted three leaders of the Islamic Jihad, a Palestinian armed group, and hit "weapon manufacturing sites" belonging to the group.

The army spokesperson, Richard Hecht said that the force "achieved what we wanted to achieve" in the overnight strikes involving 40 aircraft.

The armed group confirmed that three of its senior officials were killed, naming them as Jihad Ghannam, Khalil al-Bahtini, and Tareq Ezzedine.

Tuesday's casualties bring to 120 the number of Palestinians killed in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict so far this year.