WATCH: Israel ramps up pressure as deal nears - senior leader eliminated in Gaza strikes 

With a hostage deal with Hamas looming, Israeli Air Force aircraft attacked last night (Tuesday to Wednesday) a senior terrorist operating in a command and control compound in the Daraj Tufah area, formerly used as a school.

The attack was carried out under the combined intelligence guidance of the Intelligence Directorate (Military Intelligence), the Israel Security Agency (ISA) and the IDF's Southern Command.

In addition, the Israeli Air Force attacked a number of other targets overnight, including terrorist squads and Hamas military positions in Khan Yunis and Deir al-Balah. The attacks were made possible thanks to intelligence cooperation between Military Intelligence, the Shin Bet and the Southern Command.

During the past 24 hours about 50 terrorist targets were attacked throughout the Gaza Strip. Among the targets attacked: terrorist squads and weapons depots, underground infrastructure, anti-tank positions and military buildings belonging to Hamas.

The IDF emphasized that prior to the attacks, many steps had been taken to minimize civilian casualties, including the use of advanced intelligence means, focused observations, and precision munitions. This was done in order to avoid harming civilian institutions and the population not involved in the fighting.