Israel pounded Hamas positions in the Gaza Strip today, killing at least five fighters, and seized a minister in Palestinian prime minister Ismail Haniyeh's cabinet, stepping up a campaign against the ruling Islamists.
Rapid-fire air strikes flattened compounds used by Hamas's Executive Force and armed wing, and a guardhouse outside Mr Haniyeh's home, after Gaza militants behind rocket attacks against Israel signalled they might agree to a truce.
Giant plumes of black smoke rose over what remained of the Executive Force compound in Gaza City. At least four Executive Force members were killed and at least 20 people were wounded, Hamas and medical workers said.
Palestinian witnesses reported seven Israeli air strikes just before midday, on top of five air strikes overnight in which at least three people, all passers-by, were hurt.
Militants fired at least five rockets at Israel on Saturday, causing no injuries, the army said.
The Palestinian Minister of State, Wasfi Kabha of Hamas, was arrested in an early morning raid on his village near the West Bank city of Jenin, a Palestinian security official said.
Kabha is the second cabinet minister seized by Israel since Thursday when troops arrested Education Minister Naser al-Shaer of Hamas and 32 other officials in the occupied West Bank.
"We have urged the US and the EU to intervene to release the ministers and lawmakers," said Saeb Erekat, an aide to President Mahmoud Abbas of Fatah. "This step does not help to achieve calm."
The arrests have also raised concerns in Washington and at the United Nations.
The barrage of air strikes and Jenin arrest raid came hours after Hamas's armed wing and other militant factions said they were considering a proposal by Abbas for a ceasefire in Gaza.