Ahmed Abu Jalal, a senior Hamas terrorist, was killed on Friday evening, along with three of his brothers, in an Israeli air strike in the Maghazi district in central Gaza.

According to some reports, Abu Jalal was killed while driving his car, while other reports said the attack was carried out on his home.

Israeli officials said that those killed were preparing to fire rockets at southern Israel.

As the IDF struck targets in Gaza, terrorists fired several Grad missiles at the city of Be’er Sheva, one of which was intercepted by the Iron Dome system.

Another rocket, which is believed to have been fired from the northern Sinai Peninsula, exploded in the Eshkol Regional Council area near the border with Egypt. There were no physical injuries.

According to statistics published by the IDF on Friday, since the beginning of Operation Pillar of Defense, more than 550 rockets and mortars have been fired at Israel. The Iron Dome system intercepted more than 192 rockets, and recorded an 85% success rate.

Israel will deploy a fifth Iron Dome battery in the south on Saturday, given its success rate in intercepting rockets fired at cities.

Meanwhile, the IDF is preparing to significantly expand its operation in Gaza. Defense Minister Ehud Barak authorized the IDF to expand the call-up of the reserves, and Cabinet minister were asked on Friday evening to approve the recruitment of another 75,000 reservists.