Palestinian militant group Hamas says it launched rockets into southern Israel in response to what it called Israeli “massacres” of civilians in Gaza.
Israel’s military said about 10 projectiles were fired but most were intercepted. One rocket reportedly struck the southern city of Ashkelon, according to Israel’s Channel 12.
Emergency services in Israel said one person sustained shrapnel injuries, while videos showed smashed car windows and debris scattered across a street.
Following the attack, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered a “strong response,” according to a statement from his office.
“The prime minister instructed to deliver a strong response and approved the continuation of the intensified IDF operations in Gaza against Hamas,” his office said in a statement, adding that Netanyahu spoke to Defence Minister Israel Katz from his aeroplane as he travelled to Washington.
Minutes after the statement, the Israeli military issued an order for residents of several areas in central Gaza’s Deir el-Balah to evacuate ahead of planned strikes, indicating that the rocket fire originated from there.
