IDF strikes Hamas intelligence HQ, line of terror targets overnight

            As Operation Pillar of Defense enters its eighth day, a Color Red siren sounded in Sderot and Shaar Hanegev where several rockets landed in open areas. Later, the Iron Dome intercepted a rocket over Ashkelon. Earlier, sirens were heard in Kiryat Malachi and Gan Yavne. Two rockets were fired at Ashdod and the Hof Ashlelon Regional Council overnight and were intercepted by the Iron Dome. Also Tuesday night, the IDF struck dozens of targets in Gaza. The Air Force attacked the building which houses the offices of the French AFP news agency, an AFP photographer said. He noted at least three rockets appeared to have hit the building. The IDF Spokesperson's Unit confirmed that the building had been attacked as it housed Hamas' intelligence headquarters. Another target hit overnight was the internal security ministry as well as a military safe house in the southern Strip. The Palestinians reported that the IAF attacked and destroyed a security compound west of Rafah and a police station in Khan Younis, according to the Maan news agency. The agency further reported that Hamas' military wing, Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades, claimed it had fired five Grad rockets at Ashdod. The IDF attacked 25 targets in the Strip including 21 hidden launching pads, three tunnels and a Hamas military facility, the IDF spokesman said. Earlier, the army struck a Hamas command center, a bank used by the terror group, an apartment used as a military hideaway and a meeting place frequented by terror operatives on Tuesday night. Tunnels used to store munitions and smuggle fuel were also targeted, as were several weapon factories and caches. The smuggling tunnels are one of Hamas' most critical sources of financing, the army said. US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton held a late-night meeting with Netanyahu. ''The goal must be a durable outcome that promotes regional stability and advances the security and legitimate aspirations of Israelis and Palestinians alike," she said at a news conference with Netanyahu. Clinton will meet with Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi on Wednesday morning. Cairo is hoping to declare a ceasefire which was originally meant to go into effect at midnight but was delayed, likely due to Israeli demands for amendments in the agreement.