Hostilities between Israel and Hamas escalated overnight, with 35 Palestinians killed in Gaza and five in Israel in the most intensive aerial exchanges in years.&nbsp;

Israel carried out hundreds of airstrikes in Gaza into the early hours of Wednesday, as the Islamist group and other Palestinian militant groups fired multiple rocket barrages at Tel Aviv and Beersheba.&nbsp;

One multi-storey residential building in Gaza collapsed and another was heavily damaged after they were repeatedly hit by Israeli airstrikes. Israel said it attacked Hamas targets, including intelligence centres and rocket launch sites. 
 
Gravitas: Israel &amp; Hamas exchange rocket fire

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It was the heaviest offensive between Israel and Hamas since a 2014 war in Gaza and prompted international concern that the situation could spiral out of control.&nbsp;

UN Middle East peace envoy Tor Wennesland tweeted: "Stop the fire immediately. We're escalating towards full-scale war. Leaders on all sides have to take responsibility of de-escalation.&nbsp;

"The cost of war in Gaza is devastating &amp; is being paid by ordinary people. UN is working w/ all sides to restore calm. Stop the violence now," he wrote. &nbsp;

Into the early hours of Wednesday morning, Gazans reported their homes shaking and the sky lighting up with Israeli attacks, outgoing rockets and Israeli air defence missiles intercepting them.&nbsp;

Israelis ran for shelters or flattened themselves on pavements in communities more than 70 km (45 miles) up the coast and into southern Israel amid sounds of explosions as interceptor missiles streaked into the sky.&nbsp;

In the mixed Arab-Jewish town of Lod, near Tel Aviv, two people were killed after a rocket hit a vehicle in the area. Israeli media reported one was a 7-year-old girl. &nbsp;

Hamas's armed wing said it fired 210 rockets towards Beersheba and Tel Aviv in response to the bombing of the tower buildings in Gaza City.&nbsp;

For Israel, the militants' targeting of Tel Aviv, its commercial capital, posed a new challenge in the confrontation with the Islamist Hamas group, regarded as a terrorist organisation by Israel and the United States.&nbsp;

The violence followed weeks of tension in Jerusalem during the Muslim fasting month of Ramzan, with clashes between Israeli police and Palestinian protesters in and around Al-Aqsa Mosque, on the compound revered by Jews as Temple Mount and by Muslims as the Noble Sanctuary.&nbsp;

These escalated in recent days ahead of a, now postponed, court hearing in a case that could end with Palestinian families evicted from East Jerusalem homes claimed by Jewish settlers.&nbsp;

Violence has also flared in the occupied West Bank, where a 26-year-old Palestinian was killed by Israeli gunfire during stone-throwing clashes in a refugee camp near the city of Hebron.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

Hostilities between Israel and Hamas escalated overnight, with 35 Palestinians killed in Gaza and five in Israel in the most intensive aerial exchanges in years.

Hostilities between Israel and Hamas escalated overnight, with 35 Palestinians killed in Gaza and five in Israel in the most intensive aerial exchanges in years. Israel carried out hundreds of airstrikes in Gaza into the early hours of Wednesday, as the Islamist group and other Palestinian militant groups fired multiple rocket barrages at Tel Aviv and Beersheba. One multi-storey residential building in Gaza collapsed and another was heavily damaged after they were repeatedly hit by Israeli airstrikes. Israel said it attacked Hamas targets, including intelligence centres and rocket launch sites. Gravitas: Israel & Hamas exchange rocket fire It was the heaviest offensive between Israel and Hamas since a 2014 war in Gaza and prompted international concern that the situation could spiral out of control. UN Middle East peace envoy Tor Wennesland tweeted: "Stop the fire immediately. We're escalating towards full-scale war. Leaders on all sides have to take responsibility of de-escalation. "The cost of war in Gaza is devastating & is being paid by ordinary people. UN is working w/ all sides to restore calm. Stop the violence now," he wrote. Into the early hours of Wednesday morning, Gazans reported their homes shaking and the sky lighting up with Israeli attacks, outgoing rockets and Israeli air defence missiles intercepting them. Israelis ran for shelters or flattened themselves on pavements in communities more than 70 km (45 miles) up the coast and into southern Israel amid sounds of explosions as interceptor missiles streaked into the sky. In the mixed Arab-Jewish town of Lod, near Tel Aviv, two people were killed after a rocket hit a vehicle in the area. Israeli media reported one was a 7-year-old girl. Hamas's armed wing said it fired 210 rockets towards Beersheba and Tel Aviv in response to the bombing of the tower buildings in Gaza City. For Israel, the militants' targeting of Tel Aviv, its commercial capital, posed a new challenge in the confrontation with the Islamist Hamas group, regarded as a terrorist organisation by Israel and the United States. The violence followed weeks of tension in Jerusalem during the Muslim fasting month of Ramzan, with clashes between Israeli police and Palestinian protesters in and around Al-Aqsa Mosque, on the compound revered by Jews as Temple Mount and by Muslims as the Noble Sanctuary. These escalated in recent days ahead of a, now postponed, court hearing in a case that could end with Palestinian families evicted from East Jerusalem homes claimed by Jewish settlers. Violence has also flared in the occupied West Bank, where a 26-year-old Palestinian was killed by Israeli gunfire during stone-throwing clashes in a refugee camp near the city of Hebron. (With inputs from agencies)

35 killed in Gaza, 5 in Israel, as violence escalates 

Israel & Hamas continue to exchange rocket fire as civilians suffer. The question of who is right & who isn't has gone up the smoke. Palki Sharma tells you why.

Gravitas: Israel & Hamas exchange rocket fire

A 30-year-old Indian woman who was working as a caregiver has been killed in a Hamas rocket attack at Ashkelon in Israel. According to the family members Soumya Santhosh, the rocket fell on her residence while she was talking to her husband over a video call.

Israel: Indian woman killed in Hamas rocket attack

49 people have been killed in Gaza and 6 in Israel in the most intensive aerial exchanges for years. Israel carried out hundreds of air strikes in Gaza into the early hours of Wednesday, as the Islamist group and other Palestinian militants fired multiple rocket barrages at Tel Aviv and Beersheba.

Israel-Hamas violence escalates: 49 Palestinians, 6 Israelis killed

Amid the escalating conflict between Israel and Gaza, the Deputy Ambassador of Israel in India Rony Yedidia Clein said "we are not targeting residential homes, but terrorist infrastructure". She also added "we are not going to stop defending our citizens, we are acting against terrorist organisations—Hamas and Islamic Jihad—and we are neutralising terrorist infrastructures."

We are not targeting residential homes, but terrorist infrastructure says Rony Yedidia

The UN Security Council will hold another emergency meeting to discuss the escalating conflict between Israel and Gaza. The closed-door meeting has been requested by the Tunisia, Norway and China. The first held on Monday ended without a joint statement.

UNSC to hold meeting over Israel-Palestine conflict

An Indian national who was working as a caregiver has been killed in a Hamas rocket attack at Ashkelon in Israel.

According to the family members of 31-year old Soumya Santhosh, the rocket fell on her residence in the city of Ashkelon while she was talking to her husband Santhosh, who is in the southern Indian state of Kerala, over a video call in the evening.

"My brother heard a huge sound during the video call. Suddenly the phone got disconnected. Then we immediately contacted fellow Malayalees working there. Thus we came to know about the incident," Santhosh's brother Saji said.

Soumya Santosh, who hailed from Kerala's Idukki district, worked as a caregiver attending to an elderly woman at a house in the southern Israeli coastal city of Ashkelon.

Ashkelon, which borders the Gaza Strip, has come under massive fire from the Palestinian terrorists.

Soumya was reportedly living in Israel for the past seven years. She has a nine-year-old son whom she had left with her husband in Kerala. Her 80-year-old elderly charge is said to have survived the direct hit on the house and is hospitalised in a serious condition, local media reports said.

Soumya is the daughter of former Kanjikuzhy panchayat member Satish and Savithri. Her last visit to Kerala was in 2017. The deadly rocket attack directly struck the house of the elderly woman.

Channel 12 reported that the rocket shelter was at least a minute's run away from the woman's home and the pair could not manage to reach it in time.

The home lacked a fortified room of its own.

Some media reports said that a technical glitch with an Iron Dome battery (an all-weather air defence system that intercepts and destroys short-range rockets) during the massive rocket barrage towards the Israeli coastal city prevented some rockets from being intercepted and may have been responsible for the casualties and deaths.

Ashkelon's Mayor Tomer Glam said that some 25 per cent of the residents do not have access to a protected area when rockets are fired at the city. It is impossible when normal life becomes a state of emergency within minutes, Glam told Army Radio.

There are houses from the 1960s where there is no basic protection. It is time for treasury officials and decision-makers to understand what is happening here in the city, he stressed.

Israel's ambassador to India Ron Malka on Tuesday took to Twitter to condole the Indian woman's death.

"On behalf of the state of Israel, I convey heartfelt condolences to the family of Soumya Santosh, murdered by Hamas indiscriminate terror attack on innocent lives. Our hearts are crying with her 9-years-old son that lost his mother in this cruel terrorist attack," he said. 
 
"I just spoke to the family of Ms. Soumya Santosh, the victim of the Hamas terrorist strike. I expressed my sorrow for their unfortunate loss &amp; extended my condolences on behalf of the state of Israel. The whole country is mourning her loss &amp; we are here for them."

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I just spoke to the family of Ms. Soumya Santosh, the victim of the Hamas terrorist strike. I expressed my sorrow for their unfortunate loss &amp; extended my condolences on behalf of the state of Israel. The whole country is mourning her loss &amp; we are here for them. <a href="https://t.co/btmoewYMSS">pic.twitter.com/btmoewYMSS</a>
— Ron Malka 🇮🇱 (@DrRonMalka) <a href="https://twitter.com/DrRonMalka/status/1392358596227203073?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 12, 2021</a></blockquote>
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Newly-elected MLA and Nationalist Congress Kerala leader Mani C Kappan condemned the incident.

In a Facebook post, Kappan, who is representing Pala seat in the Kerala Assembly, said thousands of Keralites working in Israel were living in fear. He also sought the intervention of the central and state governments.

(With inputs from agencies)

An Indian national who was working as a caregiver has been killed in a Hamas rocket attack at Ashkelon in Israel. According to the family members of 31-year old Soumya Santhosh, the rocket fell on her residence in the city of Ashkelon while she was talking to her husband Santhosh, who is in the southern Indian state of Kerala, over a video call in the evening.

An Indian national who was working as a caregiver has been killed in a Hamas rocket attack at Ashkelon in Israel. According to the family members of 31-year old Soumya Santhosh, the rocket fell on her residence in the city of Ashkelon while she was talking to her husband Santhosh, who is in the southern Indian state of Kerala, over a video call in the evening. "My brother heard a huge sound during the video call. Suddenly the phone got disconnected. Then we immediately contacted fellow Malayalees working there. Thus we came to know about the incident," Santhosh's brother Saji said. Soumya Santosh, who hailed from Kerala's Idukki district, worked as a caregiver attending to an elderly woman at a house in the southern Israeli coastal city of Ashkelon. Ashkelon, which borders the Gaza Strip, has come under massive fire from the Palestinian terrorists. Soumya was reportedly living in Israel for the past seven years. She has a nine-year-old son whom she had left with her husband in Kerala. Her 80-year-old elderly charge is said to have survived the direct hit on the house and is hospitalised in a serious condition, local media reports said. Soumya is the daughter of former Kanjikuzhy panchayat member Satish and Savithri. Her last visit to Kerala was in 2017. The deadly rocket attack directly struck the house of the elderly woman. Channel 12 reported that the rocket shelter was at least a minute's run away from the woman's home and the pair could not manage to reach it in time. The home lacked a fortified room of its own. Some media reports said that a technical glitch with an Iron Dome battery (an all-weather air defence system that intercepts and destroys short-range rockets) during the massive rocket barrage towards the Israeli coastal city prevented some rockets from being intercepted and may have been responsible for the casualties and deaths. Ashkelon's Mayor Tomer Glam said that some 25 per cent of the residents do not have access to a protected area when rockets are fired at the city. It is impossible when normal life becomes a state of emergency within minutes, Glam told Army Radio. There are houses from the 1960s where there is no basic protection. It is time for treasury officials and decision-makers to understand what is happening here in the city, he stressed. Israel's ambassador to India Ron Malka on Tuesday took to Twitter to condole the Indian woman's death. "On behalf of the state of Israel, I convey heartfelt condolences to the family of Soumya Santosh, murdered by Hamas indiscriminate terror attack on innocent lives. Our hearts are crying with her 9-years-old son that lost his mother in this cruel terrorist attack," he said. "I just spoke to the family of Ms. Soumya Santosh, the victim of the Hamas terrorist strike. I expressed my sorrow for their unfortunate loss & extended my condolences on behalf of the state of Israel. The whole country is mourning her loss & we are here for them." I just spoke to the family of Ms. Soumya Santosh, the victim of the Hamas terrorist strike. I expressed my sorrow for their unfortunate loss & extended my condolences on behalf of the state of Israel. The whole country is mourning her loss & we are here for them. pic.twitter.com/btmoewYMSS — Ron Malka 🇮🇱 (@DrRonMalka) May 12, 2021 × Newly-elected MLA and Nationalist Congress Kerala leader Mani C Kappan condemned the incident. In a Facebook post, Kappan, who is representing Pala seat in the Kerala Assembly, said thousands of Keralites working in Israel were living in fear. He also sought the intervention of the central and state governments. (With inputs from agencies)

Indian woman killed in Israel was struck by rocket strike during a video call with husband

Palestinians fired uninterrupted barrages of rockets into Israel, as its military pounded Gaza with air strikes through the early hours of Tuesday, in a dramatic escalation of clashes in Jerusalem.&nbsp;Nine children were among the 20 dead in Gaza on Monday.

Explosions shook buildings throughout Gaza and rocket sirens sent Israelis in many southern towns scurrying for shelter overnight. Two Palestinians were killed and more than 100 wounded in air strikes, Palestinian officials said.&nbsp;

Six Israelis were wounded by a rocket, medics said.&nbsp;

On Monday, scores of rockets were launched into Israel. Many&nbsp;were intercepted by missile defences.&nbsp;

The events were unleashed by Gaza militants firing on the Jerusalem area for the first time since a 2014 war, crossing what Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called a 'red line'.&nbsp;

The upsurge in violence came as Israel celebrated 'Jerusalem Day', marking its capture of East Jerusalem in the 1967 Arab-Israeli war.&nbsp;

The escalation began with confrontations at al-Aqsa Mosque in the heart of the walled Old City on the compound known to Jews as Temple Mount and to Muslims as the Noble Sanctuary - the most sensitive site in the Israel-Palestinian conflict.&nbsp;

The Palestine Red Crescent Society said more than 300 Palestinians were injured in clashes with Israeli police, who fired rubber bullets, stun grenades and tear gas in the compound. Police said 21 officers were hurt in the skirmishes.&nbsp;

Although the trouble died down after a few hours, there were other focal points of tension, such as the Sheikh Jarrah neighbourhood of East Jerusalem just north of the Old City, where several Palestinian families face eviction from homes claimed by Jewish settlers in a long-running legal case.&nbsp;

Hamas, the Islamist militant group that controls Gaza, set an evening deadline for Israel to remove its police from Al-Aqsa and Sheikh Jarrah. When it expired, sirens wailed in Jerusalem and rockets pounded the city's outskirts.&nbsp;

Israel views all of Jerusalem as its capital, including the eastern part annexed after the 1967 war in a move that has not secured international recognition.&nbsp;

Palestinians want East Jerusalem for the capital of a state they seek in Gaza and the Israeli-occupied West Bank.&nbsp;

Hamas and the smaller Islamic Jihad militant group claimed responsibility for the rocket fire on Jerusalem.&nbsp;

The Israeli military said it struck targets that included militant operatives, attack tunnels and the home of a Hamas battalion commander.&nbsp;

Of the 20 Palestinians killed on Monday, seven, including three children, were family members, who died in an explosion in the town of Beit Hanoun.&nbsp;It is unclear if it had been caused by an Israeli strike or a Palestinian rocket that had fallen short.&nbsp;

An Israeli military spokesman said about a third of the Palestinian rockets fired had fallen short and caused damage and casualties inside Gaza.&nbsp;

International efforts to stem the violence appeared to have already. A Palestinian official said that Egypt, Qatar and the United Nations, which have mediated truces between Israel and Hamas in the past, were in contact with the group's leader Ismail Haniyeh.&nbsp;

Tension had been building for weeks during the Muslim holy month of Ramzan, amid clashes between Israeli security forces and Palestinian protesters prompting international concern that events could spiral out of control.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies) &nbsp;

Palestinians fired uninterrupted barrages of rockets into Israel, as its military pounded Gaza with air strikes through the early hours of Tuesday, in a dramatic escalation of clashes in Jerusalem.

Palestinians fired uninterrupted barrages of rockets into Israel, as its military pounded Gaza with air strikes through the early hours of Tuesday, in a dramatic escalation of clashes in Jerusalem. Nine children were among the 20 dead in Gaza on Monday. Explosions shook buildings throughout Gaza and rocket sirens sent Israelis in many southern towns scurrying for shelter overnight. Two Palestinians were killed and more than 100 wounded in air strikes, Palestinian officials said. Six Israelis were wounded by a rocket, medics said. On Monday, scores of rockets were launched into Israel. Many were intercepted by missile defences. The events were unleashed by Gaza militants firing on the Jerusalem area for the first time since a 2014 war, crossing what Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called a 'red line'. The upsurge in violence came as Israel celebrated 'Jerusalem Day', marking its capture of East Jerusalem in the 1967 Arab-Israeli war. The escalation began with confrontations at al-Aqsa Mosque in the heart of the walled Old City on the compound known to Jews as Temple Mount and to Muslims as the Noble Sanctuary - the most sensitive site in the Israel-Palestinian conflict. The Palestine Red Crescent Society said more than 300 Palestinians were injured in clashes with Israeli police, who fired rubber bullets, stun grenades and tear gas in the compound. Police said 21 officers were hurt in the skirmishes. Although the trouble died down after a few hours, there were other focal points of tension, such as the Sheikh Jarrah neighbourhood of East Jerusalem just north of the Old City, where several Palestinian families face eviction from homes claimed by Jewish settlers in a long-running legal case. Hamas, the Islamist militant group that controls Gaza, set an evening deadline for Israel to remove its police from Al-Aqsa and Sheikh Jarrah. When it expired, sirens wailed in Jerusalem and rockets pounded the city's outskirts. Israel views all of Jerusalem as its capital, including the eastern part annexed after the 1967 war in a move that has not secured international recognition. Palestinians want East Jerusalem for the capital of a state they seek in Gaza and the Israeli-occupied West Bank. Hamas and the smaller Islamic Jihad militant group claimed responsibility for the rocket fire on Jerusalem. The Israeli military said it struck targets that included militant operatives, attack tunnels and the home of a Hamas battalion commander. Of the 20 Palestinians killed on Monday, seven, including three children, were family members, who died in an explosion in the town of Beit Hanoun. It is unclear if it had been caused by an Israeli strike or a Palestinian rocket that had fallen short. An Israeli military spokesman said about a third of the Palestinian rockets fired had fallen short and caused damage and casualties inside Gaza. International efforts to stem the violence appeared to have already. A Palestinian official said that Egypt, Qatar and the United Nations, which have mediated truces between Israel and Hamas in the past, were in contact with the group's leader Ismail Haniyeh. Tension had been building for weeks during the Muslim holy month of Ramzan, amid clashes between Israeli security forces and Palestinian protesters prompting international concern that events could spiral out of control. (With inputs from agencies)

At least 20 dead as Israel strikes Gaza after Palestinian rocket firings 

Tensions between Israel and the Palestinians escalated as militant groups in Gaza fired rockets into Israel and it responded with strikes on the Palestinian coastal territory following a police raid on the al-Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem that left hundreds injured.

Israel responds with airstrikes on Gaza after Hamas rocket attacks

The Israeli military said Saturday it had conducted airstrikes against targets in the Gaza Strip following a rocket attack from the Palestinian enclave, in the second such exchange in as many days.

The strikes hit what the military described as "terror targets" operated by Gaza's Islamist ruling party Hamas. They included a "training facility, an anti-aircraft missile launcher post, a concrete production plant &amp; terror tunnel infrastructure".

Witnesses and security sources said the strikes hit two militant "training sites" in southern Gaza and another target in central Gaza.A Hamas spokesman said that despite the Israeli action, "Gaza still fights and doesn't break."

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/nighttime-clashes-in-east-jerusalem-flare-palestine-israel-tensions-379636">Nighttime clashes in East Jerusalem flare Palestine-Israel tensions</a>

The strikes came hours after militants in the Gaza Strip fired a rocket into southern Israel.&nbsp;An Israeli army spokesperson said the rocket hit open ground and caused no casualties or damage.

It was the second such exchange in recent days. Late Thursday, Palestinian militants fired a rocket at southern Israel, prompting the army to launch retaliatory air strikes on Gaza that caused no casualties.

Israel imposed a blockade of Gaza's sea and land borders after Hamas seized control in 2007. The two sides have since fought three wars.&nbsp;A fragile truce has endured in recent years despite occasional flareups, with Palestinians firing rockets at Israel and the Jewish state responding with airstrikes on the coastal enclave.

&nbsp;

The Israeli military said Saturday it had conducted airstrikes against targets in the Gaza Strip following a rocket attack from the Palestinian enclave, in the second such exchange in as many days.

The Israeli military said Saturday it had conducted airstrikes against targets in the Gaza Strip following a rocket attack from the Palestinian enclave, in the second such exchange in as many days. The strikes hit what the military described as "terror targets" operated by Gaza's Islamist ruling party Hamas. They included a "training facility, an anti-aircraft missile launcher post, a concrete production plant & terror tunnel infrastructure". Witnesses and security sources said the strikes hit two militant "training sites" in southern Gaza and another target in central Gaza.A Hamas spokesman said that despite the Israeli action, "Gaza still fights and doesn't break." Also Read | Nighttime clashes in East Jerusalem flare Palestine-Israel tensions The strikes came hours after militants in the Gaza Strip fired a rocket into southern Israel. An Israeli army spokesperson said the rocket hit open ground and caused no casualties or damage. It was the second such exchange in recent days. Late Thursday, Palestinian militants fired a rocket at southern Israel, prompting the army to launch retaliatory air strikes on Gaza that caused no casualties. Israel imposed a blockade of Gaza's sea and land borders after Hamas seized control in 2007. The two sides have since fought three wars. A fragile truce has endured in recent years despite occasional flareups, with Palestinians firing rockets at Israel and the Jewish state responding with airstrikes on the coastal enclave.

Israel strikes Gaza after rocket attack

Palestinian militants in the Gaza Strip fired dozens of rockets into Israel on Saturday drawing retaliatory air strikes, the Israeli military said, after nightly Ramzan clashes between Palestinians and Israeli police resumed in Jerusalem.&nbsp;

The pre-dawn exchange of fire broke months of relative quiet on the Israel-Gaza frontier. &nbsp;

Signalling it did not expect an immediate wider escalation, the military said it would not impose safety restrictions on Israelis living near the border. &nbsp;

But in a sign violence could continue, Israel's chief of staff Aviv Kohavi postponed a visit to Washington on Sunday, expected to focus on Iran, due to the 'events and possible developments’, according to a military statement. &nbsp;

In Jerusalem, Israeli-Palestinian tension has been higher than usual during the Muslim holy month of Ramzan. Protests turned violent on Thursday with scores of arrests and injuries. &nbsp;

The unrest resumed on Friday night, when Palestinian youths gathered outside the walled Old City and scuffled with hundreds of Israeli police in riot gear.&nbsp;

Palestinians threw stones towards police firing water cannons. Others hurled rocks at an Israeli court building and smashed security cameras. The Palestine Red Crescent said eight Palestinians were injured.&nbsp;

Israeli police said the unrest later extended to a nearby Palestinian neighbourhood with Palestinians hurling fire-bombs at officers and throwing stones at Israeli vehicles and homes. Three Palestinians were arrested and four officers were injured.&nbsp;

In the occupied West Bank, Palestinians clashed with Israeli troops around military checkpoints near West Bank cities. Israel's border police said it dispersed hundreds hurling stones and fire-bombs. &nbsp;

In Gaza, Palestinian militants fired 36 rockets at Israel during the night, Israel's military said, soon after Gaza's Islamist rulers Hamas and other armed groups issued a joint call for Palestinian resistance in Jerusalem. &nbsp;

Israeli aircraft retaliated with strikes on Hamas rocket launchers and underground infrastructure, the military said. There were no immediate reports of casualties in Gaza or on the Israeli side of the border where most the rockets fell in open areas and six were intercepted. &nbsp;

The UN Middle East envoy Tor Wennesland said the United Nations was working with all parties to deescalate the situation. In a written statement, he condemned the violence and called upon all sides to exercise restraint.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

Palestinian militants in the Gaza Strip fired dozens of rockets into Israel on Saturday drawing retaliatory air strikes, the Israeli military said, after nightly Ramzan clashes between Palestinians and Israeli police resumed in Jerusalem.

Palestinian militants in the Gaza Strip fired dozens of rockets into Israel on Saturday drawing retaliatory air strikes, the Israeli military said, after nightly Ramzan clashes between Palestinians and Israeli police resumed in Jerusalem. The pre-dawn exchange of fire broke months of relative quiet on the Israel-Gaza frontier. Signalling it did not expect an immediate wider escalation, the military said it would not impose safety restrictions on Israelis living near the border. But in a sign violence could continue, Israel's chief of staff Aviv Kohavi postponed a visit to Washington on Sunday, expected to focus on Iran, due to the 'events and possible developments’, according to a military statement. In Jerusalem, Israeli-Palestinian tension has been higher than usual during the Muslim holy month of Ramzan. Protests turned violent on Thursday with scores of arrests and injuries. The unrest resumed on Friday night, when Palestinian youths gathered outside the walled Old City and scuffled with hundreds of Israeli police in riot gear. Palestinians threw stones towards police firing water cannons. Others hurled rocks at an Israeli court building and smashed security cameras. The Palestine Red Crescent said eight Palestinians were injured. Israeli police said the unrest later extended to a nearby Palestinian neighbourhood with Palestinians hurling fire-bombs at officers and throwing stones at Israeli vehicles and homes. Three Palestinians were arrested and four officers were injured. In the occupied West Bank, Palestinians clashed with Israeli troops around military checkpoints near West Bank cities. Israel's border police said it dispersed hundreds hurling stones and fire-bombs. In Gaza, Palestinian militants fired 36 rockets at Israel during the night, Israel's military said, soon after Gaza's Islamist rulers Hamas and other armed groups issued a joint call for Palestinian resistance in Jerusalem. Israeli aircraft retaliated with strikes on Hamas rocket launchers and underground infrastructure, the military said. There were no immediate reports of casualties in Gaza or on the Israeli side of the border where most the rockets fell in open areas and six were intercepted. The UN Middle East envoy Tor Wennesland said the United Nations was working with all parties to deescalate the situation. In a written statement, he condemned the violence and called upon all sides to exercise restraint. (With inputs from agencies)

Clashes on Gaza border as Ramzan violence flares in Jerusalem 

The Israeli military says Palestinian militants fired a rocket from Gaza into the country's south on Friday, the second incident in 24 hours. The rocket caused no damage or injuries.&nbsp;

In response, Israeli fighter jets and helicopters hit five sites of the militant Hamas group, which controls the Gaza Strip. There were no reports of casualties in the air raids, which the Israeli military said targeted a training site, weapons manufacturing facility and a factory producing building materials for for attack tunnels, among other targets.&nbsp;

Israel blames Hamas for any attack emanating from the Palestinian enclave.&nbsp;

Hazem Qassem, a spokesman for the Islamic militant group, said the Israeli airstrikes 'will not break' Gaza.&nbsp;

Early on Friday, Israeli aircraft hit three facilities operated by Hamas in response to the previous rocket attack.&nbsp;

The Israeli response came after the military said a projectile fired from the Gaza Strip Thursday evening landed in south of the country. That rocket attacks and Israeli retaliatory raids broke weeks of relative cross-border calm. &nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

The Israeli military says Palestinian militants fired a rocket from Gaza into the country's south on Friday, the second incident in 24 hours. The rocket caused no damage or injuries.

The Israeli military says Palestinian militants fired a rocket from Gaza into the country's south on Friday, the second incident in 24 hours. The rocket caused no damage or injuries. In response, Israeli fighter jets and helicopters hit five sites of the militant Hamas group, which controls the Gaza Strip. There were no reports of casualties in the air raids, which the Israeli military said targeted a training site, weapons manufacturing facility and a factory producing building materials for for attack tunnels, among other targets. Israel blames Hamas for any attack emanating from the Palestinian enclave. Hazem Qassem, a spokesman for the Islamic militant group, said the Israeli airstrikes 'will not break' Gaza. Early on Friday, Israeli aircraft hit three facilities operated by Hamas in response to the previous rocket attack. The Israeli response came after the military said a projectile fired from the Gaza Strip Thursday evening landed in south of the country. That rocket attacks and Israeli retaliatory raids broke weeks of relative cross-border calm. (With inputs from agencies)

Israel says Palestinian militants fired second rocket from Gaza in 24 hours 

Yehya Al-Sinwar&nbsp;has been re-elected to head Hamas in the Gaza Strip for a second term, officials said on Wednesday, reflecting his control over both political and military wings of the Islamist group that rules the Palestinian enclave.&nbsp;

Sinwar, Hamas leader in Gaza since 2017, was freed in a 2011 prisoner swap with Israel after spending more than 20 years behind bars on charges that included killing suspected informants against Palestinian militants.&nbsp;

While he supports Hamas' opposition to co-existence with Israel,&nbsp;Sinwar&nbsp;has maintained a relatively stable standoff across the Gaza border.&nbsp;

He has also sought improved ties with Egypt, which maintains restrictions along its frontier with Gaza, a small Mediterranean coastal territory.&nbsp;

"Sinwar's&nbsp;victory shows the man maintains a strong grip on things inside the movement, especially within its vital components such as the military wing," said Gaza political analyst Adnan Abu Amer.&nbsp;

"The win will enable&nbsp;Sinwar&nbsp;to pursue his policies, whether inside Gaza or with regional countries and the handling of the conflict with Israel."&nbsp;

Sinwar's&nbsp;main challenger in the election, which is only open to&nbsp;Hamas&nbsp;members including those in Israeli prisons, was Nizar Awadallah, a long-time official and co-negotiator of the 2011 swap deal.&nbsp;

In a statement issued by Awadallah, he stressed his support for&nbsp;Sinwar, saying: "We stand by his side in every position to achieve the goals of our project and our movement."&nbsp;

Hamas has yet to elect a leader for the Israeli-occupied West Bank. Sources said his identity would be kept secret as protection against Israel or the administration of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, a Hamas rival.&nbsp;

Filling the position of Hamas’s political chief, who also speaks for its military wing, will require more time. The overall leader of Hamas is Ismail Haniyeh, who is also based in Gaza.&nbsp;

Haniyeh is facing a challenge this time by the former head of the group, Khaled&nbsp;Meshaal, who lives in Qatar.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

Yehya Al-Sinwar has been re-elected to head Hamas in the Gaza Strip for a second term, officials said on Wednesday, reflecting his control over both political and military wings of the Islamist group that rules the Palestinian enclave.

Yehya Al-Sinwar has been re-elected to head Hamas in the Gaza Strip for a second term, officials said on Wednesday, reflecting his control over both political and military wings of the Islamist group that rules the Palestinian enclave. Sinwar, Hamas leader in Gaza since 2017, was freed in a 2011 prisoner swap with Israel after spending more than 20 years behind bars on charges that included killing suspected informants against Palestinian militants. While he supports Hamas' opposition to co-existence with Israel, Sinwar has maintained a relatively stable standoff across the Gaza border. He has also sought improved ties with Egypt, which maintains restrictions along its frontier with Gaza, a small Mediterranean coastal territory. "Sinwar's victory shows the man maintains a strong grip on things inside the movement, especially within its vital components such as the military wing," said Gaza political analyst Adnan Abu Amer. "The win will enable Sinwar to pursue his policies, whether inside Gaza or with regional countries and the handling of the conflict with Israel." Sinwar's main challenger in the election, which is only open to Hamas members including those in Israeli prisons, was Nizar Awadallah, a long-time official and co-negotiator of the 2011 swap deal. In a statement issued by Awadallah, he stressed his support for Sinwar, saying: "We stand by his side in every position to achieve the goals of our project and our movement." Hamas has yet to elect a leader for the Israeli-occupied West Bank. Sources said his identity would be kept secret as protection against Israel or the administration of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, a Hamas rival. Filling the position of Hamas’s political chief, who also speaks for its military wing, will require more time. The overall leader of Hamas is Ismail Haniyeh, who is also based in Gaza. Haniyeh is facing a challenge this time by the former head of the group, Khaled Meshaal, who lives in Qatar. (With inputs from agencies)

Sinwar re-elected as Hamas chief in Gaza 

Three Palestinian fishermen were killed Sunday after a blast ripped through their boat off the Gaza shore.

The cause of the blast wasn't immediately clear. But this is being assumed to be an explosion caused by a misfired rocket launched by the ruling Hamas militant group.

Nezar Ayyash, a spokesman for the local fisherman's association, said the men -- two brothers and a cousin -- were working off the coast of the southern town of Khan Younis when the explosion happened.

Minutes before the explosion, local media reported that Hamas was test-firing rockets toward the sea.

Hamas said it was launching an investigation.&nbsp;

Relatives of the fishermen posted a statement on Facebook describing them as "the martyrs of living who were killed when a local mortar shell hit their boat."

Three Palestinian fishermen were killed Sunday after a blast ripped through their boat off the Gaza shore. The cause of the blast wasn't immediately clear. But this is being assumed to be an explosion caused by a misfired rocket launched by the ruling Hamas militant group.

Three Palestinian fishermen were killed Sunday after a blast ripped through their boat off the Gaza shore. The cause of the blast wasn't immediately clear. But this is being assumed to be an explosion caused by a misfired rocket launched by the ruling Hamas militant group. Nezar Ayyash, a spokesman for the local fisherman's association, said the men -- two brothers and a cousin -- were working off the coast of the southern town of Khan Younis when the explosion happened. Minutes before the explosion, local media reported that Hamas was test-firing rockets toward the sea. Hamas said it was launching an investigation. Relatives of the fishermen posted a statement on Facebook describing them as "the martyrs of living who were killed when a local mortar shell hit their boat."

Explosion kills three Gaza fishermen, Hamas rocket suspected

Maram al-Amawi, an 8-year-old girl in Gaza has been given a 3D-printed face mask in order to help her recovery from severe burns she received in a fire about a year ago. However, for the treatment to work, she has to wear it eight hours a day.

Eight-year-old Maram was severely burned a year ago in the Palestinian refugee camp of Nuseirat, in the central Gaza Strip.

The inferno, which local authorities said was caused by a gas leak, left 25 dead and dozens injured, and ravaged several shops.

Today, she and her mother, who was also seriously injured on the face and hands, wear transparent plastic masks developed by medical charity Doctors Without Borders (MSF).

The mask puts pressure on the face and speeds up the healing process. Doctors Without Borders (MSF) provided the mask.

To make this mask, the patient's face is copied using 3D scanner. This later allows printing of a customised plastic masks

The fitted mask, with adjustable straps to hold onto the face, has to be worn for between six months and a year, depending on the severity of the lesions.

'Family refused to look'

Even though her mask is transparent and fits perfectly with the contours of her soft face, Maram is afraid of being pointed at in the playground.

"The mask has made my burns better, but I'm afraid people will laugh at me if I wear it outside the house," the girl shyly confesses, dressed in the black-and-white striped lace uniform of her school, which is run by the UN agency for Palestinian refugees.

"I put it on as soon as I get home from classes."

In fact, she wears it eight hours a day.

As for her mother Izdihar al-Amawi, 31, she keeps her mask on for 16 hours, only removing it during the day to eat.

At night, she wears another mask, and she also has special gloves for burns on her hands.

"Our wounds have improved thanks to the mask," says Izdihar, who now manages to go about household chores like before the accident.

"We were waiting for the taxi after shopping and we suddenly heard a big explosion, then saw fire everywhere," she recalls.

Izdihar and Maram spent two months in hospital undergoing operations.

Accepting their disfigured complexions was not easy.

"My family refused to look at my face after the accident," says Izdihar.

"I only saw my face 50 days after the operation, in the elevator mirror while going to get my mask at the clinic."

The mother of four hopes the scars will disappear "in two or three years, as the doctors told us."

Maram al-Amawi, an 8-year-old girl in Gaza has been given a 3D-printed face mask in order to help her recovery from severe burns she received in a fire about a year ago.

Maram al-Amawi, an 8-year-old girl in Gaza has been given a 3D-printed face mask in order to help her recovery from severe burns she received in a fire about a year ago. However, for the treatment to work, she has to wear it eight hours a day. Eight-year-old Maram was severely burned a year ago in the Palestinian refugee camp of Nuseirat, in the central Gaza Strip. The inferno, which local authorities said was caused by a gas leak, left 25 dead and dozens injured, and ravaged several shops. Today, she and her mother, who was also seriously injured on the face and hands, wear transparent plastic masks developed by medical charity Doctors Without Borders (MSF). The mask puts pressure on the face and speeds up the healing process. Doctors Without Borders (MSF) provided the mask. To make this mask, the patient's face is copied using 3D scanner. This later allows printing of a customised plastic masks The fitted mask, with adjustable straps to hold onto the face, has to be worn for between six months and a year, depending on the severity of the lesions. 'Family refused to look' Even though her mask is transparent and fits perfectly with the contours of her soft face, Maram is afraid of being pointed at in the playground. "The mask has made my burns better, but I'm afraid people will laugh at me if I wear it outside the house," the girl shyly confesses, dressed in the black-and-white striped lace uniform of her school, which is run by the UN agency for Palestinian refugees. "I put it on as soon as I get home from classes." In fact, she wears it eight hours a day. As for her mother Izdihar al-Amawi, 31, she keeps her mask on for 16 hours, only removing it during the day to eat. At night, she wears another mask, and she also has special gloves for burns on her hands. "Our wounds have improved thanks to the mask," says Izdihar, who now manages to go about household chores like before the accident. "We were waiting for the taxi after shopping and we suddenly heard a big explosion, then saw fire everywhere," she recalls. Izdihar and Maram spent two months in hospital undergoing operations. Accepting their disfigured complexions was not easy. "My family refused to look at my face after the accident," says Izdihar. "I only saw my face 50 days after the operation, in the elevator mirror while going to get my mask at the clinic." The mother of four hopes the scars will disappear "in two or three years, as the doctors told us."

8-year-old girl in Gaza wears 3D printed mask to heal severe burns

Protesters marched against the decision to the office of the council's chairman, Hassan Jojo, who had approved the ruling.

Gaza to revise women’s travel ruling after backlash

Gaza's top Islamic judge agreed on Tuesday to redraft a court ruling that prohibits women from travel without the permission of a male guardian like a father or husband.&nbsp;

Higher Sharia Council in Islamist Hamas-run Gaza on Sunday imposed restrictions that brought severe criticism from rights group for violating Palestinian laws against gender-based discrimination.&nbsp;

Watch |&nbsp;

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/the-west-asia-post-is-saudi-arabias-support-for-palestine-eroding-336246/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Protests were also held outside the office of Hassan Jojo, the council's Hamas-appointed chairman, who had signed the edict into law.&nbsp;

"We have agreed to redraft this ruling," Jojo was quoted as saying on Tuesday by news agency Reuters.&nbsp;

However, he did not comment on whether the language banning women to travel in the law would be struck off.&nbsp;

Hamas leaders have repeatedly rejected claims of imposing Islamic law on the Gaza strip.

The Independent Commission for Human Rights (ICHR) also denounced Sundaý's ruling, calling it violating "women's dignity and rights" and putting them at an "inferior level".&nbsp;

It also underscored that Palestinian laws bar discrimination "on the basis of race, gender, colour, religion, political opinion or disability".

Reham Owda, a Palestinian political analyst and women's&nbsp;rights expert, said the Sunday's ruling could have intended to target a recent increase in the number of women travelling outside the territory for studying or employment opportunities.&nbsp;

"The government in Gaza wanted to limit (travel) and restrict the movement of women who are ambitious from leaving in search of study or jobs, and escape the Israeli blockade," Owda said.

 
&nbsp;

Gaza's top Islamic judge agreed on Tuesday to redraft a court ruling that prohibits women from travel without the permission of a male guardian like a father or husband.

Gaza's top Islamic judge agreed on Tuesday to redraft a court ruling that prohibits women from travel without the permission of a male guardian like a father or husband. Higher Sharia Council in Islamist Hamas-run Gaza on Sunday imposed restrictions that brought severe criticism from rights group for violating Palestinian laws against gender-based discrimination. Watch | Protests were also held outside the office of Hassan Jojo, the council's Hamas-appointed chairman, who had signed the edict into law. "We have agreed to redraft this ruling," Jojo was quoted as saying on Tuesday by news agency Reuters. However, he did not comment on whether the language banning women to travel in the law would be struck off. Hamas leaders have repeatedly rejected claims of imposing Islamic law on the Gaza strip. The Independent Commission for Human Rights (ICHR) also denounced Sundaý's ruling, calling it violating "women's dignity and rights" and putting them at an "inferior level". It also underscored that Palestinian laws bar discrimination "on the basis of race, gender, colour, religion, political opinion or disability". Reham Owda, a Palestinian political analyst and women's rights expert, said the Sunday's ruling could have intended to target a recent increase in the number of women travelling outside the territory for studying or employment opportunities. "The government in Gaza wanted to limit (travel) and restrict the movement of women who are ambitious from leaving in search of study or jobs, and escape the Israeli blockade," Owda said.

Gaza judge revises ruling that bars women to travel without male permit

A blast in a residential area of Hamas-ruled Gaza strip injured more than 20 people, said Palestinian officials. The explosion took place inside home of a member of Gaza's armed groups.

"An explosion occurred in a house in Beit Hanoun this morning, resulting in a number of injuries," the interior ministry said.

An investigation had been launched into the cause of the blast but it is understood to be accidental. AFP cited medical sources who said that 20 people were injured and condition of 2 of them is serious.

Witnesses said several homes were damaged as a result of the explosion in the home of an "activist". Police cordoned off the area.

There was no immediate official explanation of the explosion, but the Israeli military said it was the result of militants "storing weapons in residential homes".

Houses "have been turned into warehouses for weapons... and missiles for terrorist organisations, and those who pay the price in the end are innocent civilians," the military's Arabic-language spokesman, Avichay Adraee, said on Twitter.

Islamist group Hamas seized control of Gaza from rival Palestinian movement Fatah in a near civil war in 2007.

Since then, Hamas has fought three devastating wars with Israel, which has maintained a crippling blockade on the territory of some two million people.

A blast in a residential area of Hamas-ruled Gaza strip injured more than 20 people, said Palestinian officials. The explosion took place inside home of a member of Gaza's armed groups.

A blast in a residential area of Hamas-ruled Gaza strip injured more than 20 people, said Palestinian officials. The explosion took place inside home of a member of Gaza's armed groups. "An explosion occurred in a house in Beit Hanoun this morning, resulting in a number of injuries," the interior ministry said. An investigation had been launched into the cause of the blast but it is understood to be accidental. AFP cited medical sources who said that 20 people were injured and condition of 2 of them is serious. Witnesses said several homes were damaged as a result of the explosion in the home of an "activist". Police cordoned off the area. There was no immediate official explanation of the explosion, but the Israeli military said it was the result of militants "storing weapons in residential homes". Houses "have been turned into warehouses for weapons... and missiles for terrorist organisations, and those who pay the price in the end are innocent civilians," the military's Arabic-language spokesman, Avichay Adraee, said on Twitter. Islamist group Hamas seized control of Gaza from rival Palestinian movement Fatah in a near civil war in 2007. Since then, Hamas has fought three devastating wars with Israel, which has maintained a crippling blockade on the territory of some two million people.

Gaza blast injures more than 20 people

Youssef Abu Amira, a Palestinian law school graduate, never let his disabilities hold him back. Born without legs and with only partially developed arms, he has taken up a new challenge - karate.

Gaza man with disabilities conquers karate

The densely populated Gaza Strip has long lacked official drinking water. But, a new project has now helped mitigate this shortfall with the solar power process.

Israel firm helps Gaza strip residents amidst worsening water crisis

The first woman taxi driver in the Islamist-run Palestinian territory, the 39-year-old has become a target of sexist jibes about her abilities behind the wheel - but they pale into irrelevance beside the gratitude of her all-female clientele.

Mother-of-five steers new course as Gaza's first female taxi driver

Trading jabs and punches, young Palestinian girls competed in a boxing tournament on Friday (November 20) in the Gaza Strip, where the sport is mostly popular with men.

Palestinian girls compete in rare Gaza boxing contest

Young female boxers are redefining gender norms in Gaza. It's an ordinary site to spot boxing ring packed with female fighters & they are all competing for the national team in Palestine. WION brings you a report.

Palestinian girls compete in a boxing contest in Gaza

Israeli military said on Sunday that it struck Hamas positions in the morning (local time) after a rocket attack from the Gaza strip. The attack, it said, took place during the night.

The army said that two rockets were fired into southern Israel from Gaza on Saturday. There are no immediate reports of casualties or damage.

The Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) tweeted they had "struck Hamas underground infrastructure &amp; military posts in Gaza".

"The IDF is conducting an ongoing situational assessment &amp; remains prepared to operate against any terror activity," they added.

AFP quoted an army source to say that fighter jets, helicopters and tanks were deployed. It also quoted security sources in Gaza to say that there were a number of strikes overnight including in Khan Younes, Rafah and Beit Hanoun, without reporting any casualties.

Israeli media said the rockets from Gaza came down in uninhabited areas, but a military spokeswoman was unable to confirm the reports.

Speaking at the opening of his weekly cabinet meeting on Sunday afternoon, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel would not tolerate such attacks.

"I'm warning the terror organisations in Gaza, even during the coronavirus crisis -- don't try us," he said in remarks relayed by his office.&nbsp;

"I never elaborate on our operational plans, but I'm telling you -- the price of continued aggression will be heavy, very heavy."

The strike from Gaza -- which has not been claimed -- comes days after the anniversary of the assassination of senior Islamic Jihad leader Baha Abu Al-Ata, killed in a strike on his home in Gaza City on November 12 last year.

Ahead of the anniversary, the Israeli military were reportedly on high alert within the Gaza Strip, where roughly two million Palestinians live.

Sources close to Hamas indicated officials from the movement were expected in Cairo later Sunday.

(With agency inputs)

Israeli military said on Sunday that it struck Hamas positions in the morning (local time) after a rocket attack from the Gaza strip. The attack, it said, took place during the night.

Israeli military said on Sunday that it struck Hamas positions in the morning (local time) after a rocket attack from the Gaza strip. The attack, it said, took place during the night. The army said that two rockets were fired into southern Israel from Gaza on Saturday. There are no immediate reports of casualties or damage. The Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) tweeted they had "struck Hamas underground infrastructure & military posts in Gaza". "The IDF is conducting an ongoing situational assessment & remains prepared to operate against any terror activity," they added. AFP quoted an army source to say that fighter jets, helicopters and tanks were deployed. It also quoted security sources in Gaza to say that there were a number of strikes overnight including in Khan Younes, Rafah and Beit Hanoun, without reporting any casualties. Israeli media said the rockets from Gaza came down in uninhabited areas, but a military spokeswoman was unable to confirm the reports. Speaking at the opening of his weekly cabinet meeting on Sunday afternoon, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel would not tolerate such attacks. "I'm warning the terror organisations in Gaza, even during the coronavirus crisis -- don't try us," he said in remarks relayed by his office. "I never elaborate on our operational plans, but I'm telling you -- the price of continued aggression will be heavy, very heavy." The strike from Gaza -- which has not been claimed -- comes days after the anniversary of the assassination of senior Islamic Jihad leader Baha Abu Al-Ata, killed in a strike on his home in Gaza City on November 12 last year. Ahead of the anniversary, the Israeli military were reportedly on high alert within the Gaza Strip, where roughly two million Palestinians live. Sources close to Hamas indicated officials from the movement were expected in Cairo later Sunday. (With agency inputs)

Israel strikes Hamas after rocket attack from Gaza

A Palestinian woman has come up with a solution in a bid to trying to halt the spread of COVID-19 infections in Gaza. Watch the report to know her story.

Gaza: Palestinian woman invents device to battle the COVID-19 pandemic

Israeli warplanes struck suspected Hamas military targets in the Gaza Strip before dawn on Friday following rocket fire from the blockaded Palestinian territory.

Fighter jets and other aircraft struck a "weapons manufacturing site and underground infrastructures" operated by Islamist group Hamas, which has controlled the territory since 2007, the Israeli army said.

Hamas reported no casualties from the Israeli strikes on the Nuseirat refugee camp and the southern city of Khan Yunis.

Two rockets had been launched at Israel late Thursday, without causing any casualties or damage.&nbsp;

One was intercepted by Israeli air defences, while the other hit open ground, the army said.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israel-uncovers-tunnel-from-gaza-military-says-holds-hamas-responsible-336760/amp">Also read:&nbsp;Israel uncovers tunnel from Gaza, military says holds Hamas responsible</a>

The last reported rocket attack from Gaza was on Tuesday night.

It came after the army announced it had found a new tunnel that crosses "dozens of metres (yards) into Israel" from Gaza.

The next day the army said the tunnel belonged to Hamas.

Authorities have discovered some 20 tunnels originating in Gaza since 2014, army spokesman Jonathan Conricus said this week.

Israel has fought three wars with Hamas since the Islamists ousted loyalists of Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas from the territory in 2007 and there have been numerous smaller flare-ups.

An informal truce brokered by Egypt and the United Nations, with the financial support of gas-rich Qatar, has been in force since late 2018.

It has been broken several times but has been restored on each occasion.

Israeli warplanes struck suspected Hamas military targets in the Gaza Strip before dawn on Friday following rocket fire from the blockaded Palestinian territory.

Israeli warplanes struck suspected Hamas military targets in the Gaza Strip before dawn on Friday following rocket fire from the blockaded Palestinian territory. Fighter jets and other aircraft struck a "weapons manufacturing site and underground infrastructures" operated by Islamist group Hamas, which has controlled the territory since 2007, the Israeli army said. Hamas reported no casualties from the Israeli strikes on the Nuseirat refugee camp and the southern city of Khan Yunis. Two rockets had been launched at Israel late Thursday, without causing any casualties or damage. One was intercepted by Israeli air defences, while the other hit open ground, the army said. Also read: Israel uncovers tunnel from Gaza, military says holds Hamas responsible The last reported rocket attack from Gaza was on Tuesday night. It came after the army announced it had found a new tunnel that crosses "dozens of metres (yards) into Israel" from Gaza. The next day the army said the tunnel belonged to Hamas. Authorities have discovered some 20 tunnels originating in Gaza since 2014, army spokesman Jonathan Conricus said this week. Israel has fought three wars with Hamas since the Islamists ousted loyalists of Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas from the territory in 2007 and there have been numerous smaller flare-ups. An informal truce brokered by Egypt and the United Nations, with the financial support of gas-rich Qatar, has been in force since late 2018. It has been broken several times but has been restored on each occasion.

Israel warplanes strike Gaza following rocket fire

Israel discovered a new cross-border tunnel from the Gaza Strip on Tuesday that its military said extended "dozens of metres underground" and into Israeli territory.

The military said its engineers discovered the tunnel using underground sensors attached to a concrete barrier that, once completed, will run 65 kilometres (40 miles) around Gaza.

Palestinians have used underground tunnels to smuggle in all manner of commercial goods to Gaza, as well as to bring in weapons for militants from the Strip`s ruling Hamas group and other factions.

Militants have also used the tunnels to launch attacks inside Israel, which maintains a land and sea blockade of Gaza, citing threats from Hamas.

The new tunnel originates in the city of Khan Younis in southern Gaza, extending across the Israeli border before terminating underground before reaching the barrier, military spokesman Jonathan Conricus said.

He added: "We have not seen an exit point from the tunnel. So you could deduce from that that the aim was not for the terrorists to emerge from that location, but rather further inside Israel."

Conricus said the military had not yet determined who had built the tunnel, but that it holds "Hamas responsible for everything emanating from the Gaza Strip".

A Hamas spokesman declined comment.

Israel and Hamas last fought a large-scale war in 2014 and have engaged in dozens of smaller cross-border skirmishes since. Hamas and other Gaza militants have defended the tunnels as part of what they call their preparation for fighting.

Conricus said the military would "neutralise" the tunnel in the coming days. The military has discovered around 20 tunnels since the 2014 war, he added.

Israel discovered a new cross-border tunnel from the Gaza Strip on Tuesday that its military said extended "dozens of metres underground" and into Israeli territory.

Israel discovered a new cross-border tunnel from the Gaza Strip on Tuesday that its military said extended "dozens of metres underground" and into Israeli territory. The military said its engineers discovered the tunnel using underground sensors attached to a concrete barrier that, once completed, will run 65 kilometres (40 miles) around Gaza. Palestinians have used underground tunnels to smuggle in all manner of commercial goods to Gaza, as well as to bring in weapons for militants from the Strip`s ruling Hamas group and other factions. Militants have also used the tunnels to launch attacks inside Israel, which maintains a land and sea blockade of Gaza, citing threats from Hamas. The new tunnel originates in the city of Khan Younis in southern Gaza, extending across the Israeli border before terminating underground before reaching the barrier, military spokesman Jonathan Conricus said. He added: "We have not seen an exit point from the tunnel. So you could deduce from that that the aim was not for the terrorists to emerge from that location, but rather further inside Israel." Conricus said the military had not yet determined who had built the tunnel, but that it holds "Hamas responsible for everything emanating from the Gaza Strip". A Hamas spokesman declined comment. Israel and Hamas last fought a large-scale war in 2014 and have engaged in dozens of smaller cross-border skirmishes since. Hamas and other Gaza militants have defended the tunnels as part of what they call their preparation for fighting. Conricus said the military would "neutralise" the tunnel in the coming days. The military has discovered around 20 tunnels since the 2014 war, he added.

Israel uncovers tunnel from Gaza, military says holds Hamas responsible

Militants in Gaza launched rockets into Israel and Israeli aircraft hit targets in the Palestinian enclave in an explosive backdrop to the signing of pacts for formal ties between Israel and two Gulf Arab countries.

At least two injured as Gaza fires rockets into Israel

Hamas and Israel reached a Qatari brokered deal on August 31. This came after tension grew in the Gaza strip with incendiary balloons lighting fires in Israel in an effort to force it to ease the siege in place on Gaza since 2006. Will the 14 year old siege end? What has been Gaza under siege? Watch WION Exclusive Ground Report from the Gaza Strip.

Wion Exclusive: How life changed since Israel blockaded the Gaza Strip?

Gaza's Islamist rulers Hamas said Monday they had reached a Qatari-mediated deal with Israel to end more than three weeks of cross-border attacks.

In the latest escalation, Israel has bombed Gaza almost daily since August 6 in response to airborne incendiary devices and, less frequently, rockets launched across the border.

The fire bombs -- crude devices fitted to balloons, inflated condoms or plastic bags -- have triggered more than 400 blazes and damaged swathes of farmland in southern Israel, according to the fire brigade.

An Egyptian delegation had been shuttling between the two sides to try to broker the renewal of an informal truce under which Israel committed to ease its 13-year-old blockade of Gaza in return for calm on the border.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israel-uae-flight-may-start-historic-mideast-journey-kushner-324240">Also read|&nbsp;Israel-UAE flight may start 'historic' Mideast journey: Kushner</a> &nbsp;&nbsp;

The delegation was joined by Emadi, who also held talks with Israeli officials in Tel Aviv.

In a statement, he praised the Hamas leadership for reaching a deal in light of the "difficult conditions of Gaza's inhabitants, especially in view of the spread of the coronavirus".

A Hamas source told AFP there had been "a total halt" to balloon and other attacks against Israel, in agreement with other factions in the coastal strip, home to some two million people.

"Fuel supplies will return and the power station will be restarted from Tuesday," the source said.

A punitive Israeli-imposed ban on fuel deliveries cut electricity to just four hours a day, supplied from the Israeli grid.

Crossing to reopen

COGAT, the Israeli defence ministry unit that oversees civilian affairs in the occupied Palestinian territories, said in a statement that after "efforts to calm the situation", it would "resume the routine activity of the Kerem Shalom Crossing, including the entry of fuel products", starting Tuesday.

"In addition, the fishing zone of the Gaza Strip will be expanded to 15 nautical miles," it said.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uae-scraps-israel-economic-boycott-after-us-brokered-deal-323997">Also read|&nbsp;UAE scraps Israel economic boycott after US-brokered deal</a>

But, COGAT warned: "If Hamas, which is accountable for all actions that are taken in the Gaza Strip, fails to stand (by) its obligations, Israel will act accordingly."

The Hamas source added that work would be allowed to start on the construction of a new power line, while a $30 million Qatari aid tranche for Gaza would be expanded to $35 million, with the difference used to cover public servants' salaries.

Financial aid from gas-rich Qatar has been a major component of a truce first agreed more than a year ago and renewed several times since.

The fire balloons launched in recent weeks were widely seen as an attempt by Hamas to improve the terms of the informal deal.

Sources close to Hamas had said it also wanted other measures to ease living conditions in the territory, including the extension of an industrial zone in the east and an increase in the number of Israeli work permits issued to Gazans once anti-coronavirus restrictions have been lifted.

But disagreements over implementation have fuelled repeated flare-ups with the Islamist group, which has controlled Gaza since 2007.

Such flare-ups escalated into full-blown conflicts in 2008, 2012 and 2014, and mediators have been working to prevent a new war.

Gaza's Islamist rulers Hamas said Monday they had reached a Qatari-mediated deal with Israel to end more than three weeks of cross-border attacks. In the latest escalation, Israel has bombed Gaza almost daily since August 6 in response to airborne incendiary devices and, less frequently, rockets launched across the border.

Gaza's Islamist rulers Hamas said Monday they had reached a Qatari-mediated deal with Israel to end more than three weeks of cross-border attacks. In the latest escalation, Israel has bombed Gaza almost daily since August 6 in response to airborne incendiary devices and, less frequently, rockets launched across the border. The fire bombs -- crude devices fitted to balloons, inflated condoms or plastic bags -- have triggered more than 400 blazes and damaged swathes of farmland in southern Israel, according to the fire brigade. An Egyptian delegation had been shuttling between the two sides to try to broker the renewal of an informal truce under which Israel committed to ease its 13-year-old blockade of Gaza in return for calm on the border. Also read| Israel-UAE flight may start 'historic' Mideast journey: Kushner The delegation was joined by Emadi, who also held talks with Israeli officials in Tel Aviv. In a statement, he praised the Hamas leadership for reaching a deal in light of the "difficult conditions of Gaza's inhabitants, especially in view of the spread of the coronavirus". A Hamas source told AFP there had been "a total halt" to balloon and other attacks against Israel, in agreement with other factions in the coastal strip, home to some two million people. "Fuel supplies will return and the power station will be restarted from Tuesday," the source said. A punitive Israeli-imposed ban on fuel deliveries cut electricity to just four hours a day, supplied from the Israeli grid. Crossing to reopen COGAT, the Israeli defence ministry unit that oversees civilian affairs in the occupied Palestinian territories, said in a statement that after "efforts to calm the situation", it would "resume the routine activity of the Kerem Shalom Crossing, including the entry of fuel products", starting Tuesday. "In addition, the fishing zone of the Gaza Strip will be expanded to 15 nautical miles," it said. Also read| UAE scraps Israel economic boycott after US-brokered deal But, COGAT warned: "If Hamas, which is accountable for all actions that are taken in the Gaza Strip, fails to stand (by) its obligations, Israel will act accordingly." The Hamas source added that work would be allowed to start on the construction of a new power line, while a $30 million Qatari aid tranche for Gaza would be expanded to $35 million, with the difference used to cover public servants' salaries. Financial aid from gas-rich Qatar has been a major component of a truce first agreed more than a year ago and renewed several times since. The fire balloons launched in recent weeks were widely seen as an attempt by Hamas to improve the terms of the informal deal. Sources close to Hamas had said it also wanted other measures to ease living conditions in the territory, including the extension of an industrial zone in the east and an increase in the number of Israeli work permits issued to Gazans once anti-coronavirus restrictions have been lifted. But disagreements over implementation have fuelled repeated flare-ups with the Islamist group, which has controlled Gaza since 2007. Such flare-ups escalated into full-blown conflicts in 2008, 2012 and 2014, and mediators have been working to prevent a new war.

Hamas and Israel strike deal to end Gaza escalation

Gaza-based, 11-year-old rapper, Abdel-Rahman Al-Shantti, hopes to become the Palestinian 'Eminem', rising from the impoverished streets of the sealed-off enclave to global stardom.

Eleven-year-old rapper wants to be Gaza's Eminem

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