Gaza rockets hit Israel, army strikes Hamas targets in response

Another rocket was fired from the Palestinian territory on Saturday morning, setting off sirens in nearby Israeli communities, before being shot down by Israel’s Iron Dome air defence system.

The rocket fire began late Friday, just hours after five Palestinians were killed during renewed clashes on the Gaza-Israeli border.

The biggest rocket attacks in months came despite talk of progress towards an Egyptian-brokered deal to end months of often violent protests along the border in return for an easing of Israel’s crippling 11-year blockade.

“Overnight, dozens of rockets were launched from the Gaza Strip at communities in southern Israel,” the army said, putting the exact number in a separate announcement at 30.

It said the Iron Dome intercepted approximately 10 of them, while two rockets came down inside the Gaza Strip and the others hit “open areas”.

Israeli medics said seven civilians were being treated for shock.

In response to the rockets, Israeli fighter jets, helicopters and drones struck “approximately 80 Hamas targets throughout the Gaza Strip”.

There were no reports of casualties in Gaza as a result of the strikes.

In Gaza City, a four-storey building was completely destroyed in a strike, AFP correspondents on the scene said.

The Israeli army said it was a major headquarters for Gaza’s Islamist rulers Hamas.

Hamas did not claim responsibility for the rockets, but Israel holds it responsible for any fire from the coastal enclave.

The armed wing of Islamic Jihad, the second largest militant group in Gaza and a close Hamas ally, hailed the rocket fire in a statement on Saturday morning.

The “resistance is considering expanding the response in number and type, if the enemy continues its aggression against our people,” it said.

A Hamas official said late Friday Egypt was again seeking to negotiate a return to calm.

Israel and Hamas have fought three wars since 2008, and Egypt and the United Nations have been leading diplomatic efforts to avert a fourth.

‘No future’

US President Donald Trump’s peace envoy Jason Greenblatt condemned the rocket fire.

“More rockets from Gaza into Israel. Another night where parents are ushering terrified children to cover. Violence will not build futures for anyone,” he said on Twitter.

On Friday, four Palestinians aged between 22 and 27 were shot dead by Israeli fire in separate incidents along the border fence, the Gaza health ministry said.

A fifth died when a hand grenade he was holding exploded accidentally, witnesses said.

Palestinians have gathered for protests along the border at least weekly since March 30.

The army did not comment on the deaths but said around 16,000 “rioters and demonstrators” had gathered, with some setting tyres alight and hurling rocks, firebombs and grenades towards soldiers.

At least 212 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli fire in Gaza since the protests began, according to figures collated by AFP.

The majority have died during protests, while smaller numbers have been killed by air strikes or tank fire.

One Israeli soldier was shot dead by a Palestinian sniper over the same period.

The protesters are calling to be allowed to return to lands their families fled or were expelled from in the 1948 war that accompanied Israel’s creation.

They are also protesting over Israel’s crippling blockade of Gaza.

Israel accuses Hamas of orchestrating the often violent demonstrations.

Truce deal at risk

The fresh violence could also scupper hopes of a deal to end the months of increasing tensions.

Last week, a rocket fired from Gaza hit an Israeli home, narrowly avoiding killing a family. In response the Israeli army carried out air strikes on around 20 Hamas targets in Gaza.

The London-based Arabic newspaper Al-Hayat reported Friday that a deal had been reached that would see the protests end in exchange for an easing of Israel’s blockade.

Hamas officials denied a deal had been struck but confirmed to AFP that progress was being made.

Israel also fully reopened its border crossings with the Gaza Strip this week following a week of relative calm.

It allowed dozens of trucks of fuel paid for by Qatar into the territory, having previously blocked their entry in response to the border violence.

Israel says its 11-year blockade is necessary to isolate Hamas, while critics say it amounts to collective punishment of Gaza’s two million residents.

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