Hamas military commander Nizar Rayan was killed during the airstrikes on the Gaza Strip by Israel, on January 1, 2009. Rayan was killed when a missile struck his five-story home in northern Gaza. Rayan was said to have been the highest ranking Hamas leaders killed during Israel's offensive on the Gaza Strip. Israel would not confirm if they had specifically targeted Rayan.CNN: Airstrike kills highest-ranking Hamas leader yet (January 1, 2009) Nine others were killed in the bombing that killed Rayan, including his four wives and at least two of his children.Haaretz.com: Iaf Strike in Gaza Kills Senior Hamas Political-military Liaison (January 1, 2009)Telegraph: Militant Hamas Leader Killed in Air Strike (January 1, 2009)
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Killed during Israel's bombing of the Gaza Strip on January 1, 2009, the sixth day of the offensiveCNN: Airstrike kills highest-ranking Hamas leader yet (January 1, 2009)
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Rayan was involved in the 2004 suicide attack in Ashdod, Israel, that killed 10CNN: Airstrike kills highest-ranking Hamas leader yet (January 1, 2009)
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Also involved in an October 2001 suicide attack on a Jewish settlement that killed two IsraelisCNN: Airstrike kills highest-ranking Hamas leader yet (January 1, 2009)
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In 2007, Rayan vowed that Islamists would take control of the West BankTelegraph: Militant Hamas Leader Killed in Air Strike (January 1, 2009)
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After Rayan's death, Hamas warned that Israel would pay a "heavy price" for his deathTelegraph: Militant Hamas Leader Killed in Air Strike (January 1, 2009)
