Israel strikes Gaza after rocket fire

Jerusalem, December 26

Israel carried out air strikes against the Gaza Strip overnight in response to a rocket fired from the Hamas-controlled Palestinian enclave, the army today said.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was at campaign event in Ashkelon north of Gaza on Wednesday evening when what the army called a “projectile” was fired from the strip, setting off warning sirens. The army said the “projectile was fired from the Gaza Strip towards Israeli territory and was intercepted by the Iron Dome defence system”. In response, it said, “planes and helicopters hit several Hamas terrorist targets in the Gaza Strip. Military posts were among the targets.” No injuries were reported on either side, though a security source in Gaza said damage was reported at a number of Hamas sites.

Israel’s public broadcaster KAN 11 showed images of a security guard informing Netanyahu, who is campaigning for re-election as head of his Likud party, of a “red alert” late Wednesday. The prime minister waved goodbye before being hustled from the room. — AFP