Israel has started its seventh day of bombing Gaza after killing a senior Hamas commander in the biggest blow yet to the Islamist's leadership.

With tanks and troops massed for a threatened ground offensive and no ceasefire in sight, the army is allowing foreigners living in Gaza to leave today.

Israeli planes and naval guns staged more than 50 attacks on Thursday and Hamas sent more rockets deep into Israel. The death toll from the week-long blitz has reached at least 420.

(ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW)

An army spokeswoman said bombing overnight was aimed at 15 targets, including rocket launchers and weapons storage facilities.

Witnesses in Gaza said several people had been wounded, but no deaths were reported.

On Thursday, Israeli jets fired missiles on the home of Nizar Rayan in the Jabaliya refugee camp, killing him, his four wives, 10 of his children and two neighbours, witnesses and medical sources said.

Considered to be among the most hawkish of Hamas leaders, Rayan was the most senior figure to be killed by Israel since Abdel Aziz al-Rantissi in 2004.

Hamas leader Ismail Radwan said Israel would regret its attacks.

Full article here