Hamas says 'barbaric' Israeli strike damaged children's hospital in Gaza

Hamas on Saturday denounced as "barbaric" overnight strikes it said damaged a Gaza children's hospital, while the Israel army said it was responding to rocket fire from the besieged enclave.

The Israel army said it struck three Hamas targets, including a rocket manufacturing site, underground infrastructure and a military post, after two rockets were fired from the Gaza Strip.

However, in a statement, Hamas, which governs Gaza, said a "barbaric" Israeli strike had damaged a children's hospital and a centre for people with special needs.

Medical sources in Gaza said the strikes "lightly wounded" two civilians, including a child.

"Hamas will bear the consequences for all terror emanating from Gaza," the Israeli army said in a tweet.

No reports of Israeli damage

Sirens had sounded on Friday night in the southern port city of Ashkelon and the area surrounding the Gaza Strip, according to an army statement.

"Two rockets were fired from the Gaza Strip towards Israeli territory," the army statement said, adding that they were intercepted by the Iron Dome Aerial Defence System.

There were no reports of damage as a result of the interceptions. 

Israeli emergency medical services said several people were treated for shock, AFP reported.

Israel has maintained a crippling blockade of the Gaza Strip since 2007, which critics say amounts to collective punishment of the impoverished enclave's two million residents.

Egypt also upholds the siege, restricting movement in and out of Gaza on its border.