The Israeli military commenced what government officials are calling a "widespread campaign on terror sites and operatives in the Gaza Strip, chief among them Hamas and Islamic Jihad targets" after suffering nearly a week of rocket attacks on Israeli territory.

The Israel Defense Forces opened Operation Pillar of Defense with an airstrike on a car carrying the head of Hamas' military wing Ahmed Jabri. More airstrikes quickly followed and are believed to have targeted other top Gaza-based terrorists and their weapons caches. Update (12:25 PM): The IDF has released video of the strike.

An IDF spokesman stated on Twitter that the opening round of airstrikes targeted 20 sites and sought to destroy stockpiles of longer-range Iranian-supplied missiles that Hamas has smuggled into Gaza. One report stated that the air force struck a warehouse containing Iranian-supplied Fajr missiles.

U.S. ambassador to Israel Dan Shapiro reiterated "Israel's right to defend itself and its citizens from these attacks" three days ago. The Obama administration has yet to comment on these latest events.

Update (11:28 AM): Israeli media are reporting that the IDF is sending emergency call-up notices to reservists. IDF General Yoav Mordechaitold Channel 2 news ground troops may be sent into Gaza: "There are preparations, and if we are required to, the option of a entry by ground is available."

Israeli artillery has joined the air force in hitting targets in Gaza and eyewitnesses report that multiple Israeli naval vessels have appeared along the coast of Gaza.

Update (8:09 PM): The New York Times was unsure of how to cover the attacks: