Israeli targeted assassinations have started up again

Israel claimed responsibility for Wednesday's killing in Gaza of a PalestinianFreedom Fighter.

Reports differ on whether the explosion was the result of an airstrike or a car bomb. But the incident, coming after several similar strikes in recent months, marks a return by Israel to the targeted assassinations of Palestinian Freedom Fighters, which Israel had largely stopped since the mid year.

According to Israeli military, the man killed in the attack was Muhammad Jamal Nimnim. Mr. Nimnim was killed around noon Wednesday when his car exploded on a busy street in Gaza City. Palestinian news agency Maan reports that some eyewitnesses and security officials said the explosion was caused by a bomb placed under the driver’s side seat, while others claimed it was the result of an airstrike from an Israeli drone.

Nimnim was killed in the explosion, which left a smoking hulk of a car burning in the street as this BBC video shows. The passenger in the car was wounded and taken to the hospital, and several bystanders were also injured, reports Maan.

Israeli newspaper Haaretz reports that the attack was a joint operation of the Israeli Defense Forces and the Shin Bet security service. The Jerusalem Post, which called the explosion a car bomb, reports that the Shin Bet said the Israeli Air Force was involved in the operation.