An ex-“Israeli” minister called for the assassination of Palestinian resistance group Hamas' leaders in response to rocket fire from the Gaza Strip.

"It is time to send “Ismail” Haniyeh and Yahya Sinwar to meet (former Hamas leader Abdul Aziz) al-Rantisi and (Hamas founder Ahmad) Yasin," former Communications Minister Ayoob Kara told the “Israeli” Channel 14.

“Israel” assassinated al-Rantisi and Yasin in 2004.

Kara, who is a member of the right-wing Likud Party, said if “Israel” did not respond to the rocket fire by Hamas, "it will be a fatal blow to Israel's deterrence force."

"This will encourage Hamas and other groups in Gaza to continue firing at “Israeli” citizens," Kara said.

“Israeli” warplanes carried out airstrikes on several Hamas positions in Gaza late Saturday. “Israeli” tanks also shelled four observation towers of the Hamas-run Interior Ministry in northern Gaza.

No injuries were reported in the attacks, which the “Israeli” army said were in response to rocket fire from Gaza.

“Israel” launched an 11-day military offensive in Gaza in May 2021, in which more than 260 Palestinians were killed and thousands of others injured. Thirteen Israelis were also killed by rocket fire from Gaza.

The violence, the worst in years, came to a halt under an Egyptian-brokered truce on May 21./aa