Israel eliminates militant leaders in Gaza amidst ongoing conflict.

Israeli airstrikes in Gaza killed two militant commanders, bringing the Palestinian death toll to 26. Rocket fire towards southern Israel continued as Egypt attempted to broker a cease-fire. The fighting erupted after Israel killed three senior Islamic Jihad commanders in near-simultaneous airstrikes. Efforts to mediate a cease-fire were still underway, but it was unclear where progress stood. The latest outburst has pushed the region closer to a full-blown war, but in signs that both sides were trying to show restraint, Israel avoided attacks on the ruling Hamas militant group, targeting only the smaller and more militant Islamic Jihad faction.