Israeli air strikes pound Gaza after rocket fire
A Palestinian man was killed by Israeli air strikes on Saturday, Gaza's health ministry said, a day after an Israeli air defence system intercepted several rockets destined for southern Israel.
Dozens of strikes hit the Palestinian enclave in the early hours with the Israeli army claiming to have targeted "a wide range of Hamas terror targets," including a military compound and weapons manufacturing site.
One person was killed in a strike on a military training camp, the health ministry in Gaza said, naming him as Ahmed al-Shehri, 27. Two people were also injured.
It did not say whether they were affiliated with any faction.
A Hamas source told AFP that they had fired at the Israeli aircraft carrying out the raids and the Israeli army confirmed fresh "incoming fire" from Gaza.
New MEE newsletter: Jerusalem Dispatch
Sign up to get the latest insights and analysis on Israel-Palestine, alongside Turkey Unpacked and other MEE newsletters
The strikes came after at least 10 rockets were fired on Friday at southern Israel from the Gaza strip, hitting a family home.
The Israeli army said the country's Iron Dome anti-missile defence system intercepted eight of the rockets. "So far 10 rockets have been fired from Gaza at Israeli civilians. Eight of those rockets were intercepted by the Iron Dome," the military said on Twitter.
None of the armed groups in Gaza have claimed responsibility for firing the rockets but the Israeli military said Hamas was ultimately responsible for the attacks.
This was the second rocket incident this week, according to Ha'aretz, which reported that a rocket was also fired on Thursday from Gaza.
The escalation comes as a political limbo continues in Israel, which held two elections in the past year but appears no closer to forming a new government.
Former army chief Benny Gantz is locked in negotiations to form a new government after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanuyahu said he was unable to do so last month.
If Gantz is unable to form a majority coalition then Israelis could go to the polls for the third time since April.
Hamas and Israel have fought three wars in the Gaza strip since 2008.
Middle East Eye delivers independent and unrivalled coverage and analysis of the Middle East, North Africa and beyond. To learn more about republishing this content and the associated fees, please fill out this form. More about MEE can be found here.
