Israel’s Defense Forces (IDF) gunned down a top Hamas operative early Sunday morning in the Gaza Strip. Saeed Seyam, 30, a commander of Hamas’ military wing, Izzadin al-Kassam in the Khan Yunis area, was responsible for the death of at least four Israelis. The offensive was in response to four Kassam rockets fired earlier that morning at the southern Israeli town of Sderot in the Negev. Another six mortar shells were fired on Gaza settlements and five more targeted at IDF operatives located in Gaza. Four were lightly wounded and two suffered from serious injuries in the mortar attacks. As the Palestinian Authority is unwilling to dismantle terrorist groups, Israel must take matters into their own hands. Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz said, “We will evaluate the situation over the next few hours and days and then decide our next steps.”