Israel launches air strikes on Gaza
Israeli warplanes struck targets in the Gaza Strip today in response to rocket fire toward southern Israel.
They were the first air strikes launched by Israel since an informal ceasefire ended eight days of cross-border fighting between Israel and Hamas-ruled Gaza.
An Israeli military statement said its planes targeted “two extensive terror sites” with “accurate hits”.
Palestinian officials said no one was hurt in the air strikes and no damage was reported in northern Gaza.
The air raids followed the third successful rocket attack on Israel since the November ceasefire.
The military reported that Gaza militants yesterday fired at least one rocket toward southern Israel. No one was hurt and no damage was caused.
The attack was the first since rockets were fired during President Barack Obama’s visit to Israel two weeks ago.
There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the rocket fire. The Israeli military says it holds Gaza’s Islamic Hamas rulers responsible for any attack against the Jewish state.
Rocket fire has been rare since an informal ceasefire was reached last November. During eight days of violence in November, the Israeli military said 1,500 rockets were fired at Israel, including the first from Gaza to strike the Tel Aviv and Jerusalem areas.
The rocket attacks killed six Israelis and wounded dozens. Israeli airstrikes killed 169 Palestinians, many of them militants, and caused considerable damage.
Earlier yesterday, Palestinian prisoners rioted following news of a fellow inmate’s death of cancer, and Israeli prison guards fired tear gas to end the disturbances, an Israeli official said.
Palestinian officials said Israel was responsible for the death of Maysara Abu Hamdiyeh, claiming medical negligence. The 64-year-old was serving a life sentence for his role in a foiled attempt to bomb a busy cafe in Jerusalem in 2002.
As news of his death spread, Palestinian prisoners in several jails began banging on their cell doors and hurling objects. Later, protests spread to Jerusalem and parts of the West Bank.
After decades of conflict with Israel, the issue of prisoners is emotionally charged in Palestinian society.
Inmates are highly esteemed regardless of the reasons for their incarceration, which range from mass murder to throwing rocks.
