Israel strikes a car on the same street carrying two senior Hamas commanders (a rocket squad) in Gaza City.

Hamas leaders said the informer maintained relationships with top Hamas commanders, in order to learn where Shalit was being held.

Two Hamas commanders were killed and 16 members of the movement were arrested, the army said, in what appeared to be a major blow to the group.

Both passengers, one of which may have been a senior Hamas military commander, were killed.

With some reluctance, and a little suspicion, the Hamas commanders decided they had nothing to lose by agreeing.

It is the home village of Hamas military commander Maher Udda.

During the raid the local Hamas commander is killed and two Israeli soldiers are slightly wounded.

An unnamed Hamas commander made this abundantly clear only yesterday to the Sunday Times.

Udda is a top Hamas commander.

Several senior Hamas military commanders and politburo members were killed, as well as approximately 50 explosives experts.