Israelis openly called for the assassination of Hamas officials on Friday in wake of the stabbing attack in the Israeli town of Elad on Thursday.
Former generals, experts and journalists called for the assassination of Saleh al-Arouri, who is in charge of Hamas' military operations in the occupied West Bank, and Yehya al-Sinwar, Hamas' top official in the Gaza Strip.
They cited their recent calls to carry out attacks against Israel.
Three people were killed in the stabbing attack, the latest in a series of deadly assaults deep inside Israel in recent weeks. It came as Israeli-Palestinian tensions were already heightened by violence at a major holy site in Jerusalem sacred to Jews and Muslims.
Israeli security forces took part in a massive manhunt Friday for two Palestinians suspected of carrying out the Elad attack.
Israeli media released footage of Sinwar earlier this week as he called on Palestinians in all occupied territories to carry knives and launch attacks in Jewish towns.
Journalist Ron Ben-Yishai wrote in Israel's Ynet on Friday that there was a clear connection between Sinwar's latest comments and the Elad attack.
He added that "Sinwar and his men must pay the price" that he said was worth launching a "battle in Gaza" for.
He stressed that Sinwar and Hamas leaders in Gaza must pay a "painful price" for their incitement, warning that the current wave of operations will continue.
Sinwar must be removed from the scene, and not just punished, so that others will be deterred, he suggested.
Retired general Israel Ziv called for Sinwar's elimination, even if it led to a new military confrontation.
He said Friday that Sinwar had incited the recent waves of attacks in Israel. Hamas must be taken by surprise at the right time, he added.
MP Itamar Ben Gvir called for Israel to launch air raids on Sinwar's Gaza home.
"This is how terrorism is eliminated," he said.
