"Israel will defend our citizens. We will actively stop rockets, rocket launchers, those who plan the terror infrastructure," said Israeli government spokeswoman Miri Eisin. She repeated Israel's vow not to be drawn into the Gaza morass, but the heavy airstrike raised questions about the commitment.
The explosion at the Hamas compound sent heavy plumes of gray smoke into the Gaza sky, destroying the structure and several others around it and sending terrified residents scurrying.
After the blast, a large crowd gathered at the site, frantically digging through the rubble and pulling out the wounded. One woman, her white robe covered in blood, was carried away from the area.
Palestinian witnesses and medical officials said one person was killed and 45 in the first airstrike.
Hamas said the target was an administration building of its elite bodyguards unit. The two-story structure is normally filled with Hamas personnel.
In a text message sent to reporters, Hamas military wing spokesman Abu Obeida vowed revenge against Israel, possibly by suicide bombing.
"The Zionist enemy are launching an open war against Hamas. Therefore, reprisal options are open, including self-sacrifice operations," he said. "We advise the Zionist settlers to go immediately to the basement of their residence because our rockets will not spare any of them."
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