After a weekend of deadly Palestinian fire on the Israeli city of Ashkelon, the underground bunker where public officials studied CCTV and incoming rockets from Gaza was hushed Monday after a tentative ceasefire.

Half-drained coffee cups and unfinished sandwiches still sat on desks, but opposite city hall the car park of a local mall was packed as people went back to business as usual.

Earlier in the day, Palestinian leaders in Gaza announced a ceasefire with Israel, ending a sharp escalation of violence that threatened another war between them.

There was, as in previous truces, no confirmation from the Israeli side but there were no reports of rocket launches or retaliatory Israeli strikes during the day.

Civilians on both side of the Gaza border, just four kilometres from Ashkelon's city limits, said they were unhappy with the absence of a long-term solution and feared it would not be long before the bloodletting resumed.

The latest flareup began Saturday with massive rocket fire from blockaded Gaza, drawing waves of Israeli retaliatory strikes that continued throughout Sunday.

At least 25 Palestinians, including at least nine militants, were killed.

Four Israeli civilians were also killed -- two of them in Ashkelon and a third nearby.

Nissim Dadon, a resident of the nearby Israeli town of Sderot, accused Israel's government of being too soft on Hamas.

"We are too nice with them, like suckers," he told AFP.

"We need to make a thorough clean-up there with a firm hand and without mercy, and to be over with this situation once and for all."

In Gaza City, where the funerals of Palestinians killed in Israeli air strikes were taking place, the truce was welcomed.

It coincided with the first day of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, when believers fast during daylight hours.

"We are happy that there is a truce agreement but we need peace and calm for all the month of Ramadan," Rami Abu Azzam, 30, told AFP.

"This morning I rushed to the market early to buy all we need for Ramadan out of fear that the airstrikes would start again. We didn’t buy anything in the three days before fasting started."

'In seconds'

Sitting in his blast-proof office, Ashkelon's municipal chief of emergency services and security, Yossi Greenfeld, said the first rocket fired from Gaza into his city was in the year after Israel's 2005 pullout from the Gaza Strip.

The fire intensified, he said, after Islamist movement Hamas seized power in Gaza from the administration of Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas in 2007.

"People here, in going about their daily lives, take into account the possibility of rocket fire," he told AFP.

"Every resident is aware that he can find himself going from routine to a state of emergency in seconds."

Israel said some 690 rockets were fired from Gaza in total and it hit some 350 militant targets in the strip in retaliation.

The Gaza health ministry said the dead from the Israeli strikes included a 14-month-old baby and a pregnant woman, 37. Israel strongly disputed the claim and said the deaths were due to errant Hamas fire.

The Gazan ministry reported late Sunday that another four-month-old baby was among those killed in Israeli strikes in the northern Gaza Strip. Israel's army had no comment.

"There are many martyrs and injured and dozens of homes destroyed. How will they spend Ramadan?" asked Wafa Abu Sayf, 20, from Jabalia refugee camp in northern Gaza.

On the Israeli side of the border in Sderot, resident Amir Plut said: "We don't want war, where all sides only lose."

"We want peace with the Arabs, who are human beings like us."

Emerging from the Ashkelon bunker, Greenfeld pointed to a patch in the road outside, where a rocket crater from a previous attack had been filled in.

"You see that in many places around the city," he said, then gestured to the walls of neighbouring buildings, pockmarked by shrapnel.

"It's like living in a Wild West town. You need to know how to survive."&nbsp;

After a weekend of deadly Palestinian fire on the Israeli city of Ashkelon, the underground bunker where public officials studied CCTV and incoming rockets from Gaza was hushed Monday after a tentative ceasefire.

After a weekend of deadly Palestinian fire on the Israeli city of Ashkelon, the underground bunker where public officials studied CCTV and incoming rockets from Gaza was hushed Monday after a tentative ceasefire. Half-drained coffee cups and unfinished sandwiches still sat on desks, but opposite city hall the car park of a local mall was packed as people went back to business as usual. Earlier in the day, Palestinian leaders in Gaza announced a ceasefire with Israel, ending a sharp escalation of violence that threatened another war between them. There was, as in previous truces, no confirmation from the Israeli side but there were no reports of rocket launches or retaliatory Israeli strikes during the day. Civilians on both side of the Gaza border, just four kilometres from Ashkelon's city limits, said they were unhappy with the absence of a long-term solution and feared it would not be long before the bloodletting resumed. The latest flareup began Saturday with massive rocket fire from blockaded Gaza, drawing waves of Israeli retaliatory strikes that continued throughout Sunday. At least 25 Palestinians, including at least nine militants, were killed. Four Israeli civilians were also killed -- two of them in Ashkelon and a third nearby. Nissim Dadon, a resident of the nearby Israeli town of Sderot, accused Israel's government of being too soft on Hamas. "We are too nice with them, like suckers," he told AFP. "We need to make a thorough clean-up there with a firm hand and without mercy, and to be over with this situation once and for all." In Gaza City, where the funerals of Palestinians killed in Israeli air strikes were taking place, the truce was welcomed. It coincided with the first day of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, when believers fast during daylight hours. "We are happy that there is a truce agreement but we need peace and calm for all the month of Ramadan," Rami Abu Azzam, 30, told AFP. "This morning I rushed to the market early to buy all we need for Ramadan out of fear that the airstrikes would start again. We didn’t buy anything in the three days before fasting started." 'In seconds' Sitting in his blast-proof office, Ashkelon's municipal chief of emergency services and security, Yossi Greenfeld, said the first rocket fired from Gaza into his city was in the year after Israel's 2005 pullout from the Gaza Strip. The fire intensified, he said, after Islamist movement Hamas seized power in Gaza from the administration of Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas in 2007. "People here, in going about their daily lives, take into account the possibility of rocket fire," he told AFP. "Every resident is aware that he can find himself going from routine to a state of emergency in seconds." Israel said some 690 rockets were fired from Gaza in total and it hit some 350 militant targets in the strip in retaliation. The Gaza health ministry said the dead from the Israeli strikes included a 14-month-old baby and a pregnant woman, 37. Israel strongly disputed the claim and said the deaths were due to errant Hamas fire. The Gazan ministry reported late Sunday that another four-month-old baby was among those killed in Israeli strikes in the northern Gaza Strip. Israel's army had no comment. "There are many martyrs and injured and dozens of homes destroyed. How will they spend Ramadan?" asked Wafa Abu Sayf, 20, from Jabalia refugee camp in northern Gaza. On the Israeli side of the border in Sderot, resident Amir Plut said: "We don't want war, where all sides only lose." "We want peace with the Arabs, who are human beings like us." Emerging from the Ashkelon bunker, Greenfeld pointed to a patch in the road outside, where a rocket crater from a previous attack had been filled in. "You see that in many places around the city," he said, then gestured to the walls of neighbouring buildings, pockmarked by shrapnel. "It's like living in a Wild West town. You need to know how to survive."

Israelis, Palestinians welcome truce but fear more violence

More Than 600 Hamas Rockets Rained On Israel Over The Weekend As Tit-For-Tat Fighting Continues Between Israel & Palestine. Palki sums up the latest bout of deadly violence that rocket Israel and Gaza. Is Iran behind the Gaza escalation? Here's a detailed summary

Israel & Palestine reach an uneasy truce after yet another bout of deadly violence

Palestinians in Gaza began their Ramadan fast on Monday (May 6) while assessing damage after three days of deadly Israel-Gaza border fighting. Watch this video to know more.

Gaza residents awake to sites of destruction on first day of Ramadan

Living in Gaza is not easy for human beings, let alone animals. It's high time they move to safer habitats. Watch this and many more stories like this from the West-Asian part of the world, on The West Asia Post, every Friday at 8:30 pm, only on WION, WORLD IS ONE.

The West Asia Post: Animals evacuated from Gaza's last zoo

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/after-firing-projectiles-north-korea-says-it-tested-rocket-launchers-216009">After firing projectiles, North Korea says it tested rocket launchers</a>

North Korea said Sunday it had tested long-range multiple rocket launchers and tactical guided weapons, a day after Pyongyang appeared to have launched its first short-range missile in more than a year.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/four-palestinians-killed-as-rocket-barrages-from-gaza-draw-israeli-strikes-216001">Four Palestinians killed as rocket barrages from Gaza draw Israeli strikes</a>

Gaza militants on Saturday fired some 250 rockets at Israel, which responded with strikes as a fragile ceasefire again faltered in an escalation that left four Palestinians dead, including a baby in disputed circumstances.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/british-pm-tells-labour-lets-do-a-deal-on-brexit-215999">'Let's do a deal' on Brexit: British PM tells Labour</a>

British Prime Minister Theresa May on Sunday urged main opposition Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn to work with her to break the Brexit deadlock, telling him, "Let's do a deal".

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/sri-lanka-president-sirisena-promises-to-eradicate-terrorism-bring-stability-before-election-215943">Sri Lanka president Sirisena promises to 'eradicate terrorism', bring stability before election</a>

Sri Lanka President Maithripala Sirisena on Saturday said the security forces would "eradicate terrorism" and restore stability before a presidential election due for year-end, reported news agency Reuters.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/venezuelan-army-helicopter-crashes-near-caracas-killing-seven-216014">Venezuelan army helicopter crashes near Caracas, killing seven</a>

A Venezuelan military helicopter crashed close to Caracas on Saturday morning, killing all seven people on board, the Defense Ministry said in a statement.

After firing projectiles, North Korea says it tested rocket launchers North Korea said Sunday it had tested long-range multiple rocket launchers and tactical guided weapons, a day after Pyongyang appeared to have launched its first short-range missile in more than a year.

After firing projectiles, North Korea says it tested rocket launchers North Korea said Sunday it had tested long-range multiple rocket launchers and tactical guided weapons, a day after Pyongyang appeared to have launched its first short-range missile in more than a year. Four Palestinians killed as rocket barrages from Gaza draw Israeli strikes Gaza militants on Saturday fired some 250 rockets at Israel, which responded with strikes as a fragile ceasefire again faltered in an escalation that left four Palestinians dead, including a baby in disputed circumstances. 'Let's do a deal' on Brexit: British PM tells Labour British Prime Minister Theresa May on Sunday urged main opposition Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn to work with her to break the Brexit deadlock, telling him, "Let's do a deal". Sri Lanka president Sirisena promises to 'eradicate terrorism', bring stability before election Sri Lanka President Maithripala Sirisena on Saturday said the security forces would "eradicate terrorism" and restore stability before a presidential election due for year-end, reported news agency Reuters. Venezuelan army helicopter crashes near Caracas, killing seven A Venezuelan military helicopter crashed close to Caracas on Saturday morning, killing all seven people on board, the Defense Ministry said in a statement.

News brief: Big stories of the day

In an exclusive conversation with Political Analyst Arsen Ostrovsky over Israel-Gaza flare-up. Watch the full video to know more.

Political Analyst Arsen Ostrovsky speaks to WION over Israel-Gaza violence

Gaza militants on Saturday <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israel-says-closing-gaza-crossings-in-response-to-rocket-fire-215954">fired some 250 rockets at Israel</a>, which responded with strikes as a fragile ceasefire again faltered in an escalation that left four Palestinians dead, including a baby in disputed circumstances.

The latest flare-up came with Hamas, the Islamist movement that rules the blockaded Gaza Strip, seeking further concessions from Israel under the ceasefire.

Israel said around 250 rockets were fired from the Palestinian enclave and its air defences intercepted dozens of them.

One woman was seriously injured in a rocket strike on the Israeli city of Kiryat Gat, some 20 kilometres (13 miles) from the Gaza border, police said.

Police said a man was also hospitalised in the city of Ashkelon and spoke of other injuries without providing details.

Medics said the woman was 80 and the man was 50.

A house near Ashkelon was damaged while other rockets hit open areas.

The Israeli army said its tanks and planes hit some 120 militant targets.

They included an Islamic Jihad attack tunnel that stretched from southern Gaza into Israeli territory, military spokesman Jonathan Conricus said.

Two multi-storey buildings in Gaza City were destroyed, residents said.

Israel said one of the buildings included Hamas military intelligence and security offices.

Turkey said an office for its state news agency Anadolu was located in the building and strongly condemned the strike.

The Gaza health ministry reported a 14-month-old baby and her pregnant mother in addition to two Palestinian men killed in Israeli strikes, while 40 were wounded.

It was not immediately clear if the two men were affiliated with militant groups.

Israeli army spokesman Avichay Adraee on Twitter challenged the account of the mother and her baby being killed in an Israeli strike, suggesting they may have died from Palestinian fire.

Adraee did not provide more details and the army refused to comment further.

Video threat

As the exchange of fire continued, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held consultations with security chiefs.

A statement from Hamas ally Islamic Jihad claimed responsibility for at least some of the rocket fire and said it was prepared for more.

Its armed wing distributed a video showing militants handling rockets and threatening key Israeli sites, including Ben-Gurion international airport near Tel Aviv.

Israel said it was closing its people and goods crossings with Gaza as well as the zone it allows for fishermen off the enclave until further notice due to the rocket fire.

Egyptian and UN officials were engaged in discussions to calm the situation, as they have done repeatedly in the past, while the European Union called for an immediate halt to rocket fire from Gaza.

The UN envoy for the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Nickolay Mladenov, called on "all parties to immediately de-escalate and return to the understandings of the past few months."

The United States condemned the rocket attacks on Israel and said Washington fully supported the Jewish state's "right to self-defense against these abhorrent attacks."

Visit to Cairo

The escalation follows the most violent clashes along the Gaza border in weeks on Friday.

Four Palestinians, including two Hamas militants, were killed after two Israeli soldiers were wounded in a shooting during weekly protests on the border.

Israel blamed Islamic Jihad for what it called the sniper attack, but stressed it held Hamas responsible for all violence from Gaza.

Israel and Palestinian militants in the Gaza Strip have fought three wars since 2008 and fears remain of a fourth.

A ceasefire between Israel and Hamas brokered by Egypt and the United Nations had led to relative calm around Israel's April 9 general election.

But the past week saw a gradual uptick in violence.

With the ceasefire at risk, a Hamas delegation led by its Gaza head Yahya Sinwar went to Cairo on Thursday for talks with Egyptian officials.

The ceasefire has seen Israel allow Qatar to provide millions of dollars in aid to Gaza to pay salaries and to finance fuel purchases to ease a severe electricity shortage.

Eurovision looms

Several factors may lead Israel to seek to calm the situation quickly.

Netanyahu is engaged in tough negotiations to form a new government following last month's election, while Israel is due to host the Eurovision song contest in Tel Aviv from May 14-18.

The country also celebrates its Independence Day on Thursday.

On the Gazan side, the Muslim holy month of Ramadan begins in the week ahead.

Palestinians have participated in regular demonstrations and clashes along the Gaza border for more than a year, calling on Israel to ease its crippling blockade of the enclave.&nbsp;

At least 271 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli fire since the protests began in March 2018, the majority along the border.

Two Israeli soldiers have been killed in that period.

Israel accuses Hamas of using the protests as cover to carry out attacks and says its actions are necessary to defend the border and stop infiltrations.

The results of a UN investigation released at the end of February found that Israel may have committed crimes against humanity in responding to the border protests, as snipers "intentionally" shot civilians including children, journalists and the disabled.&nbsp;

Israel rejected the report "outright" but Hamas called for it to be held accountable.

Gaza militants on Saturday fired some 250 rockets at Israel, which responded with strikes as a fragile ceasefire again faltered in an escalation that left four Palestinians dead, including a baby in disputed circumstances.

Gaza militants on Saturday fired some 250 rockets at Israel, which responded with strikes as a fragile ceasefire again faltered in an escalation that left four Palestinians dead, including a baby in disputed circumstances. The latest flare-up came with Hamas, the Islamist movement that rules the blockaded Gaza Strip, seeking further concessions from Israel under the ceasefire. Israel said around 250 rockets were fired from the Palestinian enclave and its air defences intercepted dozens of them. One woman was seriously injured in a rocket strike on the Israeli city of Kiryat Gat, some 20 kilometres (13 miles) from the Gaza border, police said. Police said a man was also hospitalised in the city of Ashkelon and spoke of other injuries without providing details. Medics said the woman was 80 and the man was 50. A house near Ashkelon was damaged while other rockets hit open areas. The Israeli army said its tanks and planes hit some 120 militant targets. They included an Islamic Jihad attack tunnel that stretched from southern Gaza into Israeli territory, military spokesman Jonathan Conricus said. Two multi-storey buildings in Gaza City were destroyed, residents said. Israel said one of the buildings included Hamas military intelligence and security offices. Turkey said an office for its state news agency Anadolu was located in the building and strongly condemned the strike. The Gaza health ministry reported a 14-month-old baby and her pregnant mother in addition to two Palestinian men killed in Israeli strikes, while 40 were wounded. It was not immediately clear if the two men were affiliated with militant groups. Israeli army spokesman Avichay Adraee on Twitter challenged the account of the mother and her baby being killed in an Israeli strike, suggesting they may have died from Palestinian fire. Adraee did not provide more details and the army refused to comment further. Video threat As the exchange of fire continued, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held consultations with security chiefs. A statement from Hamas ally Islamic Jihad claimed responsibility for at least some of the rocket fire and said it was prepared for more. Its armed wing distributed a video showing militants handling rockets and threatening key Israeli sites, including Ben-Gurion international airport near Tel Aviv. Israel said it was closing its people and goods crossings with Gaza as well as the zone it allows for fishermen off the enclave until further notice due to the rocket fire. Egyptian and UN officials were engaged in discussions to calm the situation, as they have done repeatedly in the past, while the European Union called for an immediate halt to rocket fire from Gaza. The UN envoy for the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Nickolay Mladenov, called on "all parties to immediately de-escalate and return to the understandings of the past few months." The United States condemned the rocket attacks on Israel and said Washington fully supported the Jewish state's "right to self-defense against these abhorrent attacks." Visit to Cairo The escalation follows the most violent clashes along the Gaza border in weeks on Friday. Four Palestinians, including two Hamas militants, were killed after two Israeli soldiers were wounded in a shooting during weekly protests on the border. Israel blamed Islamic Jihad for what it called the sniper attack, but stressed it held Hamas responsible for all violence from Gaza. Israel and Palestinian militants in the Gaza Strip have fought three wars since 2008 and fears remain of a fourth. A ceasefire between Israel and Hamas brokered by Egypt and the United Nations had led to relative calm around Israel's April 9 general election. But the past week saw a gradual uptick in violence. With the ceasefire at risk, a Hamas delegation led by its Gaza head Yahya Sinwar went to Cairo on Thursday for talks with Egyptian officials. The ceasefire has seen Israel allow Qatar to provide millions of dollars in aid to Gaza to pay salaries and to finance fuel purchases to ease a severe electricity shortage. Eurovision looms Several factors may lead Israel to seek to calm the situation quickly. Netanyahu is engaged in tough negotiations to form a new government following last month's election, while Israel is due to host the Eurovision song contest in Tel Aviv from May 14-18. The country also celebrates its Independence Day on Thursday. On the Gazan side, the Muslim holy month of Ramadan begins in the week ahead. Palestinians have participated in regular demonstrations and clashes along the Gaza border for more than a year, calling on Israel to ease its crippling blockade of the enclave. At least 271 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli fire since the protests began in March 2018, the majority along the border. Two Israeli soldiers have been killed in that period. Israel accuses Hamas of using the protests as cover to carry out attacks and says its actions are necessary to defend the border and stop infiltrations. The results of a UN investigation released at the end of February found that Israel may have committed crimes against humanity in responding to the border protests, as snipers "intentionally" shot civilians including children, journalists and the disabled. Israel rejected the report "outright" but Hamas called for it to be held accountable.

Four Palestinians killed as rocket barrages from Gaza draw Israeli strikes

4 Palestinians, 1 Israeli has been killed after around 250 rockets from Gaza hit Israel. Watch the full video to know more.

250 rockets hit Israel, 4 Palestinians, 1 Israeli dead

Israel's army on Sunday denied claims from Gazan authorities that an <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/netanyahu-vows-more-massive-strikes-in-response-to-gaza-rockets-216066">Israeli strike killed a pregnant Palestinian mother</a> and her baby, saying errant Hamas fire was to blame for the deaths.

"The terror organisations' propaganda at its finest," Israeli army spokesman Ronen Manelis said on Twitter.

"The mother and girl they're claiming in Gaza that were killed in an (Israeli) attack were killed by Hamas use of weapons," he added, without providing further details.

Another Israeli military spokesman, Jonathan Conricus, told journalists later that based on intelligence "we are now confident" that the deaths were not due to an Israeli strike.

"Their unfortunate death was not a result of (Israeli) weaponry but a Hamas rocket that was fired and exploded not where it was supposed to," he said.

The Gazan health ministry said on Saturday that Falestine Abu Arar, 37, and her 14-month-old daughter were killed by an Israeli strike that hit their home.

A severe escalation that began Saturday has seen Palestinian militants fire some 430 rockets from Gaza, Israel's army says.&nbsp;

Israel has responded with waves of air and tank strikes and says it is targeting only military-related sites.

Four other Palestinians have been reported killed, including at least two militants.

One Israeli civilian was killed in a rocket strike on the city of Ashkelon near the Gaza border.

Israel's army on Sunday denied claims from Gazan authorities that an Israeli strike killed a pregnant Palestinian mother and her baby, saying errant Hamas fire was to blame for the deaths.

Israel's army on Sunday denied claims from Gazan authorities that an Israeli strike killed a pregnant Palestinian mother and her baby, saying errant Hamas fire was to blame for the deaths. "The terror organisations' propaganda at its finest," Israeli army spokesman Ronen Manelis said on Twitter. "The mother and girl they're claiming in Gaza that were killed in an (Israeli) attack were killed by Hamas use of weapons," he added, without providing further details. Another Israeli military spokesman, Jonathan Conricus, told journalists later that based on intelligence "we are now confident" that the deaths were not due to an Israeli strike. "Their unfortunate death was not a result of (Israeli) weaponry but a Hamas rocket that was fired and exploded not where it was supposed to," he said. The Gazan health ministry said on Saturday that Falestine Abu Arar, 37, and her 14-month-old daughter were killed by an Israeli strike that hit their home. A severe escalation that began Saturday has seen Palestinian militants fire some 430 rockets from Gaza, Israel's army says. Israel has responded with waves of air and tank strikes and says it is targeting only military-related sites. Four other Palestinians have been reported killed, including at least two militants. One Israeli civilian was killed in a rocket strike on the city of Ashkelon near the Gaza border.

Israel army denies Gaza mother, baby killed by strike

Israel announced Saturday it was closing its goods and people crossings with the Gaza Strip as well as the zone it allows for fishermen off the enclave in response to <a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/50-rockets-fired-at-israel-from-gaza-strip-215863">Palestinian rocket fire</a>.

The crossings and fishing zone were being closed until further notice after a violent flare-up that saw Gaza militants fire dozens of rockets at Israel, which responded with strikes.

The Israeli defence ministry unit that oversees the crossings announced the closure.

Palestinian militants in Gaza fired a barrage of dozens of rockets at Israel on Saturday and Israel responded with strikes as a fragile ceasefire between the two sides again faltered.

Israel said around 50 rockets were fired from the Palestinian enclave and its air defence systems intercepted dozens of them.

The army said it had targeted two rocket launchers in Gaza with an airstrike in response.&nbsp;

A Gazan security source said later that a series of Israeli strikes hit at least three separate areas of the Gaza Strip and that three "resistance fighters" were wounded.

&nbsp;

Israel announced Saturday it was closing its goods and people crossings with the Gaza Strip as well as the zone it allows for fishermen off the enclave in response to Palestinian rocket fire.

Israel announced Saturday it was closing its goods and people crossings with the Gaza Strip as well as the zone it allows for fishermen off the enclave in response to Palestinian rocket fire. The crossings and fishing zone were being closed until further notice after a violent flare-up that saw Gaza militants fire dozens of rockets at Israel, which responded with strikes. The Israeli defence ministry unit that oversees the crossings announced the closure. Palestinian militants in Gaza fired a barrage of dozens of rockets at Israel on Saturday and Israel responded with strikes as a fragile ceasefire between the two sides again faltered. Israel said around 50 rockets were fired from the Palestinian enclave and its air defence systems intercepted dozens of them. The army said it had targeted two rocket launchers in Gaza with an airstrike in response. A Gazan security source said later that a series of Israeli strikes hit at least three separate areas of the Gaza Strip and that three "resistance fighters" were wounded.

Israel says closing Gaza crossings in response to rocket fire

Israel and the United States are putting the financial squeeze on the Palestinian Authority (PA), where opposition to a long-awaited U.S. peace plan and anger over Israeli sanctions remain strong.

As Trump team prepares Mideast plan, Palestinians face financial crisis

Israel said Thursday its aircraft struck a<a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/world/nyt-must-be-accountable-for-anti-semitic-cartoon-israels-un-envoy-214602&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwj0ssr8sPzhAhVj63MBHSV4AQ44ChAWMAZ6BAgDEAI&amp;usg=AOvVaw2HhdC4Fg3JWi7j9rrt-Z2p"> Hamas military compound </a>in the Gaza Strip overnight after balloons carrying firebombs and explosives were launched from the Palestinian enclave.

Following the air strike, the Israeli military said two rockets were launched from the Gaza Strip toward Israel, setting off sirens in parts of the south.

It was not clear where the rockets landed or if there was damage.

The air strike hit targets within a compound for Hamas's armed wing in the northern Gaza Strip, the army and a Gaza security source said.

The security source said there was damage but no indication of casualties.

It was unclear if the firebombs and explosives that prompted the strike caused any damage inside Israel.

<a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/videos/isreal-gaza-unrest-palestinians-send-fire-kites-across-gaza-border-to-burn-crops--forests-142505&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwiQusqYsfzhAhX78HMBHfg2Cy84ChAWMAV6BAgFEAE&amp;usg=AOvVaw3eM-syey3m3lLQhfUZWs1H">Palestinians in Gaza</a> have frequently floated balloons fitted with firebombs over the border to damage Israeli property and have in the past succeeded in setting fire to large areas of farmland.

A ceasefire between Israel and Gaza's Islamist rulers Hamas brokered by Egypt and the United Nations had led to relative calm around Israel's April 9 general election.

But on Tuesday, Israel reduced the offshore fishing limit it imposes for vessels operating out of Gaza after a rocket was fired from the territory by Palestinian militants.

The rocket fell into the Mediterranean. The Israeli army blamed its launch on Hamas ally Islamic Jihad.

Israel and Palestinian militants in Gaza have fought three wars since 2008.

Israel said Thursday its aircraft struck a Hamas military compound in the Gaza Strip overnight after balloons carrying firebombs and explosives were launched from the Palestinian enclave.

Israel said Thursday its aircraft struck a Hamas military compound in the Gaza Strip overnight after balloons carrying firebombs and explosives were launched from the Palestinian enclave. Following the air strike, the Israeli military said two rockets were launched from the Gaza Strip toward Israel, setting off sirens in parts of the south. It was not clear where the rockets landed or if there was damage. The air strike hit targets within a compound for Hamas's armed wing in the northern Gaza Strip, the army and a Gaza security source said. The security source said there was damage but no indication of casualties. It was unclear if the firebombs and explosives that prompted the strike caused any damage inside Israel. Palestinians in Gaza have frequently floated balloons fitted with firebombs over the border to damage Israeli property and have in the past succeeded in setting fire to large areas of farmland. A ceasefire between Israel and Gaza's Islamist rulers Hamas brokered by Egypt and the United Nations had led to relative calm around Israel's April 9 general election. But on Tuesday, Israel reduced the offshore fishing limit it imposes for vessels operating out of Gaza after a rocket was fired from the territory by Palestinian militants. The rocket fell into the Mediterranean. The Israeli army blamed its launch on Hamas ally Islamic Jihad. Israel and Palestinian militants in Gaza have fought three wars since 2008.

Israel hits Hamas compound after arson balloon launch

Gaza amputees tackle trauma with football

Love him or loathe him, the Israel election is all about Benjamin Netanyahu. Hailed by supporters as "King Bibi", Netanyahu has been in power since 2009, after a first stint as prime minister from 1996 to 1999.

Who is Benjamin Netanyahu?

The Israeli army announced that access points to Israel from the Gaza Strip and occupied West Bank will be closed for 24 hours on Tuesday as Israel will hold a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israel-elections-how-does-the-country-vote-208213">general election on April 9</a>.

The decision to close all checkpoints and crossings from midnight (2100 GMT) Monday night was based on 'security evaluations',&nbsp;the military said in a statement.

They would only open for humanitarian and medical cases, it added.

Polling starts at 7:00 am on Tuesday and ends at 10:00 pm (1900 GMT) in Israel's closely fought parliamentary election.

Israel usually shuts its borders with the Palestinian territories on public holidays in order to prevent possible attacks.

Nearly six million people will vote on April 9 general election. As many as 47 parties contesting. In Israel's electoral history, no single party has ever won a majority.&nbsp;

Prime Minister <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israel-polls-the-rise-and-rise-of-israeli-prime-minister-benjamin-netanyahu-208436">Benjamin Netanyahu</a> is also running for re-election&nbsp;against former top general Benny Gantz, a political novice campaigning on a centrist platform.

Earlier on Sunday, Netanyahu had said that he would annex Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank if he wins another term in office.

Netanyahu has been plagued by corruption allegations throughout the election campaign after Israel's attorney general publicly announced in February that he intends to indict Netanyahu.

Netanyahu has denied any wrongdoing in three cases of alleged bribery and fraud, but the allegations could cloud his political future and that of any government he might head, possibly leading to a new election.

His main election rival, Gantz, has vowed to pursue peace with the Palestinians, but he has also stopped short at embracing their quest for statehood.

The Israeli army announced that access points to Israel from the Gaza Strip and occupied West Bank will be closed for 24 hours on Tuesday as Israel will hold a general election on April 9.

The Israeli army announced that access points to Israel from the Gaza Strip and occupied West Bank will be closed for 24 hours on Tuesday as Israel will hold a general election on April 9. The decision to close all checkpoints and crossings from midnight (2100 GMT) Monday night was based on 'security evaluations', the military said in a statement. They would only open for humanitarian and medical cases, it added. Polling starts at 7:00 am on Tuesday and ends at 10:00 pm (1900 GMT) in Israel's closely fought parliamentary election. Israel usually shuts its borders with the Palestinian territories on public holidays in order to prevent possible attacks. Nearly six million people will vote on April 9 general election. As many as 47 parties contesting. In Israel's electoral history, no single party has ever won a majority. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is also running for re-election against former top general Benny Gantz, a political novice campaigning on a centrist platform. Earlier on Sunday, Netanyahu had said that he would annex Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank if he wins another term in office. Netanyahu has been plagued by corruption allegations throughout the election campaign after Israel's attorney general publicly announced in February that he intends to indict Netanyahu. Netanyahu has denied any wrongdoing in three cases of alleged bribery and fraud, but the allegations could cloud his political future and that of any government he might head, possibly leading to a new election. His main election rival, Gantz, has vowed to pursue peace with the Palestinians, but he has also stopped short at embracing their quest for statehood.

Access points from Gaza, West Bank to be closed for 24 hours for election: Israel

Palestine: 1 killed in Israeli firing ahead of protests

Thousands protest at border, but Gaza-Israel truce holds

Israel reopened its commercial crossing with the Gaza Strip on Sunday but kept military reinforcements deployed on the volatile frontier, a day after a smaller than expected Palestinian <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/four-killed-as-thousands-protest-at-border-but-gaza-israel-truce-holds-206856">protest along the border</a>.

Gaza medical officials said four Palestinians were killed by Israeli fire during demonstrations on Saturday marking the first anniversary of the "Great March of Return" protests.

Around 200 Gazans have been killed by Israeli troops since the protests started on March 30 last year, according to Palestinian Health Ministry figures. An Israeli soldier was also killed by a Palestinian sniper in July.

But while around 40,000 protesters, some hurling grenades and explosives, turned out on Saturday, according to the Israeli military, several signs pointed to pullback from wider confrontation amid Egyptian efforts to reach a long-term ceasefire that would also ease blockaded Gaza's economic plight.

An Israeli military spokesman noted that there had been "significantly less violence" during Saturday's protest, which organisers had billed a "million person march", than in past weekly demonstrations.

In addition, hundreds of Palestinian men, some from Gaza's ruling Hamas group, were deployed in bright orange vests to deter people from going near Israel's border fence, a frequent flashpoint.

A Hamas official said Egyptian mediators were expected to hold talks in Israel to try to finalise a deal.

Israel, which considers Hamas to be a terrorist group, has maintained official silence about any pending agreement, a week before a closely contested election in which rocket strikes from Gaza on Israeli border towns have become the main issue.

Trucks carrying food and fuel rolled into Gaza through the reopened Kerem Shalom crossing on Sunday despite the firing of several rockets at southern Israel overnight and Israeli tank fire on Hamas positions in response. No injuries were reported on either side of the border.

Flare-up

The crossing had been closed on Monday after a rocket that wounded seven Israelis north of Tel Aviv touched off a two-day surge in cross-border violence.

Israel launched a wave of air strikes and ramped up its forces at the border after the rocket strike, as Egypt stepped up its mediation.

A prospective deal, according to three Palestinian officials close to the talks, would include steady Qatari-funded fuel supplies for Gaza, job creation projects and expansion of the territory's fishing zone off the Mediterranean coast.

For their part, militant groups in Gaza agreed before Saturday's protest to keep demonstrators from the border fence and stop the launching of incendiary balloons that have burned farmland in southern Israel, the officials said.

"Days separate us from achieving our demands. We are patient and the enemy is under a test," Khalil al-Hayya, Hamas's deputy Gaza chief, told the group's Aqsa TV.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, accused by far-right rivals of being too soft on Hamas, said on Sunday he ordered Israeli forces to remain at "full strength" along the Gaza frontier.

But in public remarks on Thursday, he said Israel would undertake a broad military campaign in Gaza - Hamas and Israel last fought a war in 2014 - only after exhausting all other options.

Israel reopened its commercial crossing with the Gaza Strip on Sunday but kept military reinforcements deployed on the volatile frontier, a day after a smaller than expected Palestinian protest along the border.

Israel reopened its commercial crossing with the Gaza Strip on Sunday but kept military reinforcements deployed on the volatile frontier, a day after a smaller than expected Palestinian protest along the border. Gaza medical officials said four Palestinians were killed by Israeli fire during demonstrations on Saturday marking the first anniversary of the "Great March of Return" protests. Around 200 Gazans have been killed by Israeli troops since the protests started on March 30 last year, according to Palestinian Health Ministry figures. An Israeli soldier was also killed by a Palestinian sniper in July. But while around 40,000 protesters, some hurling grenades and explosives, turned out on Saturday, according to the Israeli military, several signs pointed to pullback from wider confrontation amid Egyptian efforts to reach a long-term ceasefire that would also ease blockaded Gaza's economic plight. An Israeli military spokesman noted that there had been "significantly less violence" during Saturday's protest, which organisers had billed a "million person march", than in past weekly demonstrations. In addition, hundreds of Palestinian men, some from Gaza's ruling Hamas group, were deployed in bright orange vests to deter people from going near Israel's border fence, a frequent flashpoint. A Hamas official said Egyptian mediators were expected to hold talks in Israel to try to finalise a deal. Israel, which considers Hamas to be a terrorist group, has maintained official silence about any pending agreement, a week before a closely contested election in which rocket strikes from Gaza on Israeli border towns have become the main issue. Trucks carrying food and fuel rolled into Gaza through the reopened Kerem Shalom crossing on Sunday despite the firing of several rockets at southern Israel overnight and Israeli tank fire on Hamas positions in response. No injuries were reported on either side of the border. Flare-up The crossing had been closed on Monday after a rocket that wounded seven Israelis north of Tel Aviv touched off a two-day surge in cross-border violence. Israel launched a wave of air strikes and ramped up its forces at the border after the rocket strike, as Egypt stepped up its mediation. A prospective deal, according to three Palestinian officials close to the talks, would include steady Qatari-funded fuel supplies for Gaza, job creation projects and expansion of the territory's fishing zone off the Mediterranean coast. For their part, militant groups in Gaza agreed before Saturday's protest to keep demonstrators from the border fence and stop the launching of incendiary balloons that have burned farmland in southern Israel, the officials said. "Days separate us from achieving our demands. We are patient and the enemy is under a test," Khalil al-Hayya, Hamas's deputy Gaza chief, told the group's Aqsa TV. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, accused by far-right rivals of being too soft on Hamas, said on Sunday he ordered Israeli forces to remain at "full strength" along the Gaza frontier. But in public remarks on Thursday, he said Israel would undertake a broad military campaign in Gaza - Hamas and Israel last fought a war in 2014 - only after exhausting all other options.

Israel reopens Gaza commercial crossing in sign of easing tensions

News Alert: Tensions are high at Israel-Gaza border

News Alert: Thousands protests at Israel-Gaza border

Thousands of Gazans began gathering to mark the first anniversary of mass <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israel-strikes-gaza-after-border-bombs-205246">protests along the Israeli border</a> on Saturday, testing a fragile truce only 10 days ahead of an Israeli general election.

Egypt has sought to mediate between Israel and Gaza's Islamist rulers Hamas to rein in violence and avoid the sort of deadly response from the Israeli army that has accompanied past protests.

But warnings to stay far back from the heavily fortified fence that marks the border were already not being heeded by some.

"We will move towards the borders even if we die," said Yusef Ziyada, 21, his face painted in the colours of the Palestinian flag.

"We are not leaving. We are returning to our land."

Dozens of Palestinians were seen approaching the border fence east of Jabalia in the northern Gaza Strip at around midday (0900 GMT) before retreating as Israeli troops fired tear gas.

The protesters threw stones at the Israeli soldiers and burnt tyres.

Further south, an Egyptian security delegation visited a protest site east of Gaza City.

The city's mosques were using loudspeakers to call on people to attend, but rainy weather could affect turnout.

"There are about 5,500 rioters gathered at several locations along the fence," the Israeli army said at around 1 pm (1000 GMT).

"Some of them are throwing stones and setting tyres on fire," it said, adding soldiers were responding with "riot dispersal means."

Before dawn Saturday, a Palestinian was killed by Israeli fire during an overnight protest ahead of the main demonstration, the enclave's health ministry said.

Israel's army had not commented on the death, but late Friday said explosive devices were thrown at the fence "throughout the evening."

A tank "struck a Hamas military post in the northern Gaza Strip" in response, it said.

Sensitive time

Protesters were marking the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/gazas-night-disturbers-put-israeli-border-villagers-on-edge-ahead-of-anniversary-206550">first anniversary </a>of often violent weekly demonstrations in which around 200 Palestinians and an Israeli soldier have been killed.

The anniversary comes only days after another severe flare-up of violence between Israel and Hamas. An Egyptian-brokered ceasefire restored calm.

The timing is especially sensitive for Israel, which holds a keenly contested general election on April 9 in which Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faces a stiff challenge from centrist former military chief Benny Gantz.

He is widely seen as wanting to avoid a major escalation, but has at the same time faced political pressure over accusations of being soft on Hamas.

The protests peaked on May 14, when Israeli forces shot dead at least 62 Palestinians in clashes on the same day Washington moved its embassy to Israel to the disputed city of Jerusalem.

The demonstrators are calling for Palestinians to be allowed to return to land their families fled or were expelled from during the 1948 war that accompanied Israel's creation.

Israel says any such mass return would spell the end of a Jewish state and that its actions have been necessary to defend the border.

It accuses Hamas of orchestrating violence, but its soldiers' use of live fire has come under heavy criticism.

Last month, a UN probe said Israeli soldiers had intentionally fired on civilians in what could constitute war crimes.

Two million Palestinians live in impoverished Gaza, crammed between Israel, Egypt and the Mediterranean.

Analysts highlight desperate living conditions and lack of freedom of movement as driving forces behind the protests.

Israel, which has fought three wars with Hamas, has blockaded the enclave for more than a decade, and Egypt often closes Gaza's only other gateway to the outside world.

The UN says more than 90 per cent of the water is unsafe for drinking and residents receive less than 12 hours of mains electricity a day.

'Risky strategy'

Many protesters have remained far back from the fence and have demonstrated peacefully, but others have approached in numbers and clashed with soldiers.

Small groups have attached incendiary devices to balloons to float them over the border in an attempt to set fire to nearby Israeli homes and farmland.

The Israeli army has increased its presence along the border in recent days deploying several thousand troops, including dozens of snipers.

On Monday, a rocket fired from Gaza struck a house north of the Israeli commercial capital Tel Aviv, wounding seven people.

In response, Israel struck dozens of Hamas targets, drawing further rocket fire before calm was restored.

Hugh Lovatt, Israel-Palestine analyst at the European Council of Foreign Relations, said Hamas was trying to use the protests to get concessions from Israel.

"Hamas seems to think that the run-up to Israeli elections, and Netanyahu's desire to maintain calm in Gaza, has given it increased leverage," he said.&nbsp;

"But as we have seen with Israel's military build-up along the Gaza border, this could be a risky strategy."

Thousands of Gazans began gathering to mark the first anniversary of mass protests along the Israeli border on Saturday, testing a fragile truce only 10 days ahead of an Israeli general election.

Thousands of Gazans began gathering to mark the first anniversary of mass protests along the Israeli border on Saturday, testing a fragile truce only 10 days ahead of an Israeli general election. Egypt has sought to mediate between Israel and Gaza's Islamist rulers Hamas to rein in violence and avoid the sort of deadly response from the Israeli army that has accompanied past protests. But warnings to stay far back from the heavily fortified fence that marks the border were already not being heeded by some. "We will move towards the borders even if we die," said Yusef Ziyada, 21, his face painted in the colours of the Palestinian flag. "We are not leaving. We are returning to our land." Dozens of Palestinians were seen approaching the border fence east of Jabalia in the northern Gaza Strip at around midday (0900 GMT) before retreating as Israeli troops fired tear gas. The protesters threw stones at the Israeli soldiers and burnt tyres. Further south, an Egyptian security delegation visited a protest site east of Gaza City. The city's mosques were using loudspeakers to call on people to attend, but rainy weather could affect turnout. "There are about 5,500 rioters gathered at several locations along the fence," the Israeli army said at around 1 pm (1000 GMT). "Some of them are throwing stones and setting tyres on fire," it said, adding soldiers were responding with "riot dispersal means." Before dawn Saturday, a Palestinian was killed by Israeli fire during an overnight protest ahead of the main demonstration, the enclave's health ministry said. Israel's army had not commented on the death, but late Friday said explosive devices were thrown at the fence "throughout the evening." A tank "struck a Hamas military post in the northern Gaza Strip" in response, it said. Sensitive time Protesters were marking the first anniversary of often violent weekly demonstrations in which around 200 Palestinians and an Israeli soldier have been killed. The anniversary comes only days after another severe flare-up of violence between Israel and Hamas. An Egyptian-brokered ceasefire restored calm. The timing is especially sensitive for Israel, which holds a keenly contested general election on April 9 in which Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faces a stiff challenge from centrist former military chief Benny Gantz. He is widely seen as wanting to avoid a major escalation, but has at the same time faced political pressure over accusations of being soft on Hamas. The protests peaked on May 14, when Israeli forces shot dead at least 62 Palestinians in clashes on the same day Washington moved its embassy to Israel to the disputed city of Jerusalem. The demonstrators are calling for Palestinians to be allowed to return to land their families fled or were expelled from during the 1948 war that accompanied Israel's creation. Israel says any such mass return would spell the end of a Jewish state and that its actions have been necessary to defend the border. It accuses Hamas of orchestrating violence, but its soldiers' use of live fire has come under heavy criticism. Last month, a UN probe said Israeli soldiers had intentionally fired on civilians in what could constitute war crimes. Two million Palestinians live in impoverished Gaza, crammed between Israel, Egypt and the Mediterranean. Analysts highlight desperate living conditions and lack of freedom of movement as driving forces behind the protests. Israel, which has fought three wars with Hamas, has blockaded the enclave for more than a decade, and Egypt often closes Gaza's only other gateway to the outside world. The UN says more than 90 per cent of the water is unsafe for drinking and residents receive less than 12 hours of mains electricity a day. 'Risky strategy' Many protesters have remained far back from the fence and have demonstrated peacefully, but others have approached in numbers and clashed with soldiers. Small groups have attached incendiary devices to balloons to float them over the border in an attempt to set fire to nearby Israeli homes and farmland. The Israeli army has increased its presence along the border in recent days deploying several thousand troops, including dozens of snipers. On Monday, a rocket fired from Gaza struck a house north of the Israeli commercial capital Tel Aviv, wounding seven people. In response, Israel struck dozens of Hamas targets, drawing further rocket fire before calm was restored. Hugh Lovatt, Israel-Palestine analyst at the European Council of Foreign Relations, said Hamas was trying to use the protests to get concessions from Israel. "Hamas seems to think that the run-up to Israeli elections, and Netanyahu's desire to maintain calm in Gaza, has given it increased leverage," he said. "But as we have seen with Israel's military build-up along the Gaza border, this could be a risky strategy."

On anniversary, thousands gather at Gaza-Israel border in test of truce

Hurling pipe bombs and setting off firecrackers, "Night Disturbance Units" have become a new phenomenon on the Gaza-Israel border in the run-up to the first anniversary of deadly border protests.

Organisers say the intention of the night-time events is to fray the nerves of Israeli military lookouts and to lower morale in Israeli villages along the 30-mile frontier.

With loudspeakers blaring patriotic music into the dark, the dusk-till-dawn demonstrations began small and escalated in recent days, ahead of a massive protest rally expected at sites along the frontier on Saturday.

"We come at night to prove to the occupation that we do not fear your weapons, they should fear us," said one 20-year-old Gazan undergraduate.

“We burn tyres, hurl stones, make noises using firecrackers. Why should our people suffer alone, they should suffer too," added the protester, who would not give his name, fearing Israeli reprisals.

Although scores of Gazans attend, the night protests are not as big as in the daytime. In the dark, the demonstrators cannot see far as they face off against Israeli security forces firing tear gas, rubber bullets and live ammunition.&nbsp;

LETHAL RESPONSE

Last Sunday a 24-year-old man died after being wounded by Israeli gunfire overnight, said Gaza health officials. The Israeli military said explosives had been hurled at the fence that night, and its forces "struck two Hamas posts in response".

Israeli troops have killed nearly 200 Palestinians at the weekly border protests, which began on March 30 last year, and have wounded thousands more. 
Israel’s lethal response has been criticised by human rights groups, who say it is targeting protesters who pose little threat to heavily armed soldiers. UN investigators said last week that Israeli forces may be guilty of war crimes for using excessive force.

Israel rejects the criticism, saying its troops are defending the border against rioters, and it has no choice but to use lethal force where necessary. Israeli commanders say they are protecting the residents of nearby Israeli towns, who live in fear of Palestinian rockets and militant infiltrators.

"We hear the bombs they throw at our soldiers every night - hundreds of bombs, hundreds of explosions," said Yifat Ben-Shushan, a bleary-eyed mother of two from Nativ Haasara.

Her border village has endured years of shelling attacks by Hamas, but she described the nightly commotion as disruptive on another level.

"A child does not know how to tell the difference between a rocket or someone throwing a bomb," she told Reuters. "I have two children, (and) rise to or three times a night to make sure they are still in their beds."

The Gaza protesters are calling for the lifting of a blockade imposed by Israel and Egypt, and for Palestinians to have the right to return to land from which their families fled or were forced to flee during Israel’s founding in 1948.

The blockade, imposed for security reasons after the militant group Hamas took control of Gaza in 2007, has reduced the densely populated coastal strip to economic near collapse.&nbsp;

Israel says the protests are backed by Hamas, which uses them as cover for attacks on the frontier. On Friday Israel`s Foreign Ministry said that in the past year Hamas had fired 1233 rockets from Gaza, set off 94 explosive devices and set fire to more than 8,000 acres of Israeli land near the border.

Security in the south is expected to be an important issue in Israel`s April 9 election, when right-wing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faces a strong electoral challenge after a decade in power.&nbsp;

Israel and Hamas fought three wars from 2007-2014 and have come close to all-out conflict several times since. The past week saw a major escalation in cross-border fighting after a Palestinian rocket fired deep into Israel wounded seven people.

There were no large-scale protests planned for Friday. With Israeli tanks massed on the border ahead of the anniversary, Palestinian officials said Egyptian mediators were to meet with protest organisers to urge that Saturday`s rally be peaceful.

Hurling pipe bombs and setting off firecrackers, "Night Disturbance Units" have become a new phenomenon on the Gaza-Israel border in the run-up to the first anniversary of deadly border protests.

Hurling pipe bombs and setting off firecrackers, "Night Disturbance Units" have become a new phenomenon on the Gaza-Israel border in the run-up to the first anniversary of deadly border protests. Organisers say the intention of the night-time events is to fray the nerves of Israeli military lookouts and to lower morale in Israeli villages along the 30-mile frontier. With loudspeakers blaring patriotic music into the dark, the dusk-till-dawn demonstrations began small and escalated in recent days, ahead of a massive protest rally expected at sites along the frontier on Saturday. "We come at night to prove to the occupation that we do not fear your weapons, they should fear us," said one 20-year-old Gazan undergraduate. “We burn tyres, hurl stones, make noises using firecrackers. Why should our people suffer alone, they should suffer too," added the protester, who would not give his name, fearing Israeli reprisals. Although scores of Gazans attend, the night protests are not as big as in the daytime. In the dark, the demonstrators cannot see far as they face off against Israeli security forces firing tear gas, rubber bullets and live ammunition. LETHAL RESPONSE Last Sunday a 24-year-old man died after being wounded by Israeli gunfire overnight, said Gaza health officials. The Israeli military said explosives had been hurled at the fence that night, and its forces "struck two Hamas posts in response". Israeli troops have killed nearly 200 Palestinians at the weekly border protests, which began on March 30 last year, and have wounded thousands more. Israel’s lethal response has been criticised by human rights groups, who say it is targeting protesters who pose little threat to heavily armed soldiers. UN investigators said last week that Israeli forces may be guilty of war crimes for using excessive force. Israel rejects the criticism, saying its troops are defending the border against rioters, and it has no choice but to use lethal force where necessary. Israeli commanders say they are protecting the residents of nearby Israeli towns, who live in fear of Palestinian rockets and militant infiltrators. "We hear the bombs they throw at our soldiers every night - hundreds of bombs, hundreds of explosions," said Yifat Ben-Shushan, a bleary-eyed mother of two from Nativ Haasara. Her border village has endured years of shelling attacks by Hamas, but she described the nightly commotion as disruptive on another level. "A child does not know how to tell the difference between a rocket or someone throwing a bomb," she told Reuters. "I have two children, (and) rise to or three times a night to make sure they are still in their beds." The Gaza protesters are calling for the lifting of a blockade imposed by Israel and Egypt, and for Palestinians to have the right to return to land from which their families fled or were forced to flee during Israel’s founding in 1948. The blockade, imposed for security reasons after the militant group Hamas took control of Gaza in 2007, has reduced the densely populated coastal strip to economic near collapse. Israel says the protests are backed by Hamas, which uses them as cover for attacks on the frontier. On Friday Israel`s Foreign Ministry said that in the past year Hamas had fired 1233 rockets from Gaza, set off 94 explosive devices and set fire to more than 8,000 acres of Israeli land near the border. Security in the south is expected to be an important issue in Israel`s April 9 election, when right-wing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faces a strong electoral challenge after a decade in power. Israel and Hamas fought three wars from 2007-2014 and have come close to all-out conflict several times since. The past week saw a major escalation in cross-border fighting after a Palestinian rocket fired deep into Israel wounded seven people. There were no large-scale protests planned for Friday. With Israeli tanks massed on the border ahead of the anniversary, Palestinian officials said Egyptian mediators were to meet with protest organisers to urge that Saturday`s rally be peaceful.

Gaza's 'night disturbers' put Israeli border villagers on edge ahead of anniversary

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/we-will-do-what-is-necessary-to-defend-our-people-netanyahu-after-airstrikes-on-gaza-strip-205845">Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu</a> said Thursday <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israel-launches-strikes-on-hamas-in-gaza-after-rocket-205592">Israel</a> is prepared for a widespread military campaign in Gaza as tensions simmered following the latest flare-up -- but only after all other options were exhausted.

Netanyahu has been seeking to head off political pressure over Gaza ahead of April 9 elections, in which he faces a strong challenge from former military chief Benny Gantz.

"In recent days I gave instructions to fortify forces, to add vehicles, to be prepared for a comprehensive campaign," he said during the inauguration of a new road in northern Israel.

The premier, who was speaking after visiting military forces on the Gaza border, noted however that a war would be the last option.&nbsp;

"All Israelis should know that if a comprehensive campaign is required, we will enter it strong and safe, after we have exhausted all other possibilities," said Netanyahu, who also serves as defence minister.

Palestinian militants had on Monday fired a long-distance rocket from the Gaza Strip, hitting a house north of Tel Aviv and wounding seven Israelis, triggering Israeli air strikes and further Palestinian fire at southern Israel.

Netanyahu beefed up the military presence near Gaza, but by Wednesday the fighting had abated after Hamas announced a ceasefire brokered by Egypt.

Israel has been carefully monitoring the situation on the Gaza border ahead of Saturday, which will mark a year since mass protests and deadly clashes began there.

A demonstration on the day of the anniversary is expected to draw thousands of Palestinians.&nbsp;

A Hamas official said an Egyptian delegation met with the Islamist movement's leader Ismail Haniya in Gaza City on Wednesday night in further efforts to calm tensions.

The official said the delegation informed Hamas and its allies in Gaza that Israel had agreed to measures such as improving the electricity supply in the strip, which suffers from severe power shortages.

In exchange, Hamas would be expected to maintain calm at the weekly protests along the Gaza border, including during Saturday's anniversary.

It was unclear whether any progress had been made, and an Egyptian official said they would continue to mediate between the sides to try and maintain calm.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Thursday Israel is prepared for a widespread military campaign in Gaza as tensions simmered following the latest flare-up -- but only after all other options were exhausted.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Thursday Israel is prepared for a widespread military campaign in Gaza as tensions simmered following the latest flare-up -- but only after all other options were exhausted. Netanyahu has been seeking to head off political pressure over Gaza ahead of April 9 elections, in which he faces a strong challenge from former military chief Benny Gantz. "In recent days I gave instructions to fortify forces, to add vehicles, to be prepared for a comprehensive campaign," he said during the inauguration of a new road in northern Israel. The premier, who was speaking after visiting military forces on the Gaza border, noted however that a war would be the last option. "All Israelis should know that if a comprehensive campaign is required, we will enter it strong and safe, after we have exhausted all other possibilities," said Netanyahu, who also serves as defence minister. Palestinian militants had on Monday fired a long-distance rocket from the Gaza Strip, hitting a house north of Tel Aviv and wounding seven Israelis, triggering Israeli air strikes and further Palestinian fire at southern Israel. Netanyahu beefed up the military presence near Gaza, but by Wednesday the fighting had abated after Hamas announced a ceasefire brokered by Egypt. Israel has been carefully monitoring the situation on the Gaza border ahead of Saturday, which will mark a year since mass protests and deadly clashes began there. A demonstration on the day of the anniversary is expected to draw thousands of Palestinians. A Hamas official said an Egyptian delegation met with the Islamist movement's leader Ismail Haniya in Gaza City on Wednesday night in further efforts to calm tensions. The official said the delegation informed Hamas and its allies in Gaza that Israel had agreed to measures such as improving the electricity supply in the strip, which suffers from severe power shortages. In exchange, Hamas would be expected to maintain calm at the weekly protests along the Gaza border, including during Saturday's anniversary. It was unclear whether any progress had been made, and an Egyptian official said they would continue to mediate between the sides to try and maintain calm.

Prepared for 'comprehensive' Gaza operation: Benjamin Netanyahu

Schools reopened in southern Israel and traffic-clogged Gaza's streets on Wednesday in signs of a pullback from the most serious escalation of cross-border fighting in months.

But while violence eased amid Egyptian mediation, Israeli forces and Palestinian militants were on hair-trigger footing, with rocket attacks from Gaza and Israeli air strikes in the enclave briefly resuming late on Tuesday after a day-long lull.

Despite dozens of rocket launchings and Israeli attacks, no deaths have been reported. Israel's Iron Dome anti-missile interceptors have destroyed some of the rockets and Palestinian militants vacated facilities targeted in the air strikes.

Towns in southern Israel, where rocket-warning sirens have disrupted daily life since the current round of fighting began on Monday, reopened classrooms. In Gaza, schools were also operating and cars filled the streets.

The Gaza frontier remained tense, however, with Israeli troops and tanks deployed along the border. Both Israel and Gaza's ruling Hamas militant group made clear that attacks by the other side would not be tolerated.

Even if the crisis subsides, it could shadow Israel's April 9 election, in which right-wing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has campaigned on a tough security platform.

TENSIONS BUILDING

The latest fighting has added to tensions that were already building ahead of the first anniversary on March 30 of the start of weekly Gaza protests at the border. Some 200 Gazans have been killed and thousands wounded by Israeli fire during those protests, and one Israeli soldier has been killed.

Israel says its use of lethal force is meant to stop attempts to breach the border and launch attack on its troops and civilians.

The protesters are demanding the right to return to lands Palestinians fled or were forced to leave in Israel during fighting that accompanied its founding in 1948.

Seven Israelis were injured in Monday's initial rocket attack that hit the village of Mishmeret, 120 km (75 miles) north of Gaza. No other casualties in Israel have been reported. Twelve Palestinians have been wounded by Israeli strikes, Gaza health officials said.

Egypt was expected to pursue further truce talks on Wednesday, said a Palestinian official involved in the efforts.

UN Middle East envoy Nickolay Mladenov told the Security Council on Tuesday he had been working with Egypt to secure a ceasefire and that a fragile calm had taken hold.

Security is a major issue for Netanyahu, in power for a decade and beset by corruption allegations that he denies. He is facing his strongest electoral challenge from a centrist coalition led by a former general.

In Dheisha refugee camp in the occupied West Bank, a 17-year-old Palestinian was shot dead by Israeli troops during clashes with stone-throwers, an ambulance service official said, identifying him as a volunteer wearing a paramedic uniform. The Israeli military had no immediate comment.

Schools reopened in southern Israel and traffic-clogged Gaza's streets on Wednesday in signs of a pullback from the most serious escalation of cross-border fighting in months.

Schools reopened in southern Israel and traffic-clogged Gaza's streets on Wednesday in signs of a pullback from the most serious escalation of cross-border fighting in months. But while violence eased amid Egyptian mediation, Israeli forces and Palestinian militants were on hair-trigger footing, with rocket attacks from Gaza and Israeli air strikes in the enclave briefly resuming late on Tuesday after a day-long lull. Despite dozens of rocket launchings and Israeli attacks, no deaths have been reported. Israel's Iron Dome anti-missile interceptors have destroyed some of the rockets and Palestinian militants vacated facilities targeted in the air strikes. Towns in southern Israel, where rocket-warning sirens have disrupted daily life since the current round of fighting began on Monday, reopened classrooms. In Gaza, schools were also operating and cars filled the streets. The Gaza frontier remained tense, however, with Israeli troops and tanks deployed along the border. Both Israel and Gaza's ruling Hamas militant group made clear that attacks by the other side would not be tolerated. Even if the crisis subsides, it could shadow Israel's April 9 election, in which right-wing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has campaigned on a tough security platform. TENSIONS BUILDING The latest fighting has added to tensions that were already building ahead of the first anniversary on March 30 of the start of weekly Gaza protests at the border. Some 200 Gazans have been killed and thousands wounded by Israeli fire during those protests, and one Israeli soldier has been killed. Israel says its use of lethal force is meant to stop attempts to breach the border and launch attack on its troops and civilians. The protesters are demanding the right to return to lands Palestinians fled or were forced to leave in Israel during fighting that accompanied its founding in 1948. Seven Israelis were injured in Monday's initial rocket attack that hit the village of Mishmeret, 120 km (75 miles) north of Gaza. No other casualties in Israel have been reported. Twelve Palestinians have been wounded by Israeli strikes, Gaza health officials said. Egypt was expected to pursue further truce talks on Wednesday, said a Palestinian official involved in the efforts. UN Middle East envoy Nickolay Mladenov told the Security Council on Tuesday he had been working with Egypt to secure a ceasefire and that a fragile calm had taken hold. Security is a major issue for Netanyahu, in power for a decade and beset by corruption allegations that he denies. He is facing his strongest electoral challenge from a centrist coalition led by a former general. In Dheisha refugee camp in the occupied West Bank, a 17-year-old Palestinian was shot dead by Israeli troops during clashes with stone-throwers, an ambulance service official said, identifying him as a volunteer wearing a paramedic uniform. The Israeli military had no immediate comment.

Tense calm on Gaza-Israel border after flareup

Israel and Palestine's militant group Hamas agreed to ceasefire brokered by Egypt

Israel launched air strikes on the Palestinian enclave of Gaza and deployed extra troops to the border on Monday in response to the longest-range Hamas rocket attack to cause casualties in years.

After a day of intense cross-border fighting, Palestinian officials said Egypt had mediated a ceasefire, though the frontier did not remain calm for long.

Rocket sirens sounded in southern Israel after the late-night truce was supposed to take effect, sending residents running for shelter. In Gaza, Palestinians reported Israeli planes attacked at least two targets.

Hamas, the Islamist militant group that rules Gaza, and smaller Palestinian factions put out a statement that Egypt had mediated a ceasefire even as the rockets were fired. Israeli officials did not comment on whether a truce had been reached.

Monday's violence began when seven Israelis were wounded near Tel Aviv by a morning rocket attack. The Gaza health ministry said five Palestinians were later wounded by a wave of retaliatory strikes.

Dozens of explosions rocked the coastal enclave and ambulance sirens echoed in the mostly empty streets. In one Gaza neighbourhood, people rushed to buy bread in anticipation of a long escalation. The office of Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh was one of the initial targets hit, although he was likely to have been evacuated in advance.

Gaza militants fired barrages of rockets into Israel late into the night. Some were shot down by Israeli defences and others landed in empty areas.

The escalation came just two weeks before an election in which Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is fighting for his political life after a decade in power, campaigning on a tough line against Palestinian militants.

Beset by corruption scandals, he faces a strong challenge from a centrist coalition led by a top general.

Netanyahu cut short a visit to the United States, saying he would fly home right after meeting President Donald Trump.

"Israel will not tolerate this. I will not tolerate this," Netanyahu said. "And as we speak... Israel is responding forcefully to this wanton aggression."

Trump told reporters with Netanyahu at his side that Israel has the "absolute right" to defend itself.

In the last Gaza war in 2014, more than 2,100 Palestinians, most of them civilians according to the Gaza health ministry, were killed in seven weeks of fighting. Sixty-six Israeli soldiers and seven civilians in Israel were killed.

Hamas attack

The Israeli military said Hamas launched the rocket that destroyed a house in Mishmeret, a village north of Tel Aviv. There was no claim of responsibility for the early morning attack.

The military said Hamas fired the rocket from about 120 kilometres away, making it the longest-range attack from Gaza causing casualties since the last war in Gaza in 2014.

Israel has waged three wars on Gaza since Hamas took control of the territory in 2007. Israeli air strikes in retaliation for rockets from Gaza are a frequent occurrence, but Israel's swift mobilisation of extra troops to the border area was unusual.

The two sides have managed to avert all-out war for five years, most recently with the help of Egyptian mediation after a major escalation in November last year.

Some of the other initial targets struck in Gaza, likely to have been evacuated, were the internal security office of Hamas, a naval base, a training camp and an insurance office in Gaza city, Palestinian security officials said.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urged restraint from both sides and said that, together with Egypt, the United Nations was trying to help defuse the situation.

Wide range of scenarios

Israel's Magen David Adom ambulance service said it treated seven people after the morning missile strike, including an infant, a 3-year-old boy, a 12-year-old girl and a 60-year-old woman suffering from blast injuries, burns and shrapnel wounds.

The Israeli military said it was assigning two brigades to the Gaza area and some reservists were being called up. Reuters journalists saw troops moving towards the border, where the military also closed several roads to civilian traffic.

"We are prepared for a wide range of scenarios," chief spokesman Ronen Manelis said.

Israeli towns near Gaza and Tel Aviv, Israel's commercial capital, opened bomb shelters in anticipation of rocket strikes.

The rocket attack coincided with tension ahead of the March 30 anniversary of the start of weekly Gaza protests at the frontier in which some 200 Gazans have been killed and thousands wounded by Israeli fire. One Israeli soldier has been killed.

Israel says it has no choice but to use deadly force at the protests to prevent militants from breaching the border fence.

Gaza is home to 2 million Palestinians, most of them descendants of people who fled or were driven from homes in Israel when it was founded in 1948. The protesters demand the right to return to land from which their ancestors fled.

Israel seized Gaza in a 1967 and pulled out its troops in 2005. Since Hamas took over two years later, Israel has maintained a security blockade, along with Egypt, that has reduced Gaza's economy to what the World Bank calls a collapse.

Netanyahu's visit to Washington, after Trump said it was time to recognise Israel's sovereignty over the Golan Heights, captured from Syria in the 1967 Middle East war, was seen at home as a bid to boost the right-wing Likud leader's chances of a fifth term.

At their White House meeting, Trump signed a declaration codifying US recognition of Israel's hold on the strategic plateau, a dramatic shift from decades of US policy. Syria called the move "a blatant attack" on its sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Netanyahu's election prospects have been clouded by graft allegations against him. He has denied any wrongdoing.

Israel launched air strikes on the Palestinian enclave of Gaza and deployed extra troops to the border on Monday in response to the longest-range Hamas rocket attack to cause casualties in years.

Israel launched air strikes on the Palestinian enclave of Gaza and deployed extra troops to the border on Monday in response to the longest-range Hamas rocket attack to cause casualties in years. After a day of intense cross-border fighting, Palestinian officials said Egypt had mediated a ceasefire, though the frontier did not remain calm for long. Rocket sirens sounded in southern Israel after the late-night truce was supposed to take effect, sending residents running for shelter. In Gaza, Palestinians reported Israeli planes attacked at least two targets. Hamas, the Islamist militant group that rules Gaza, and smaller Palestinian factions put out a statement that Egypt had mediated a ceasefire even as the rockets were fired. Israeli officials did not comment on whether a truce had been reached. Monday's violence began when seven Israelis were wounded near Tel Aviv by a morning rocket attack. The Gaza health ministry said five Palestinians were later wounded by a wave of retaliatory strikes. Dozens of explosions rocked the coastal enclave and ambulance sirens echoed in the mostly empty streets. In one Gaza neighbourhood, people rushed to buy bread in anticipation of a long escalation. The office of Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh was one of the initial targets hit, although he was likely to have been evacuated in advance. Gaza militants fired barrages of rockets into Israel late into the night. Some were shot down by Israeli defences and others landed in empty areas. The escalation came just two weeks before an election in which Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is fighting for his political life after a decade in power, campaigning on a tough line against Palestinian militants. Beset by corruption scandals, he faces a strong challenge from a centrist coalition led by a top general. Netanyahu cut short a visit to the United States, saying he would fly home right after meeting President Donald Trump. "Israel will not tolerate this. I will not tolerate this," Netanyahu said. "And as we speak... Israel is responding forcefully to this wanton aggression." Trump told reporters with Netanyahu at his side that Israel has the "absolute right" to defend itself. In the last Gaza war in 2014, more than 2,100 Palestinians, most of them civilians according to the Gaza health ministry, were killed in seven weeks of fighting. Sixty-six Israeli soldiers and seven civilians in Israel were killed. Hamas attack The Israeli military said Hamas launched the rocket that destroyed a house in Mishmeret, a village north of Tel Aviv. There was no claim of responsibility for the early morning attack. The military said Hamas fired the rocket from about 120 kilometres away, making it the longest-range attack from Gaza causing casualties since the last war in Gaza in 2014. Israel has waged three wars on Gaza since Hamas took control of the territory in 2007. Israeli air strikes in retaliation for rockets from Gaza are a frequent occurrence, but Israel's swift mobilisation of extra troops to the border area was unusual. The two sides have managed to avert all-out war for five years, most recently with the help of Egyptian mediation after a major escalation in November last year. Some of the other initial targets struck in Gaza, likely to have been evacuated, were the internal security office of Hamas, a naval base, a training camp and an insurance office in Gaza city, Palestinian security officials said. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urged restraint from both sides and said that, together with Egypt, the United Nations was trying to help defuse the situation. Wide range of scenarios Israel's Magen David Adom ambulance service said it treated seven people after the morning missile strike, including an infant, a 3-year-old boy, a 12-year-old girl and a 60-year-old woman suffering from blast injuries, burns and shrapnel wounds. The Israeli military said it was assigning two brigades to the Gaza area and some reservists were being called up. Reuters journalists saw troops moving towards the border, where the military also closed several roads to civilian traffic. "We are prepared for a wide range of scenarios," chief spokesman Ronen Manelis said. Israeli towns near Gaza and Tel Aviv, Israel's commercial capital, opened bomb shelters in anticipation of rocket strikes. The rocket attack coincided with tension ahead of the March 30 anniversary of the start of weekly Gaza protests at the frontier in which some 200 Gazans have been killed and thousands wounded by Israeli fire. One Israeli soldier has been killed. Israel says it has no choice but to use deadly force at the protests to prevent militants from breaching the border fence. Gaza is home to 2 million Palestinians, most of them descendants of people who fled or were driven from homes in Israel when it was founded in 1948. The protesters demand the right to return to land from which their ancestors fled. Israel seized Gaza in a 1967 and pulled out its troops in 2005. Since Hamas took over two years later, Israel has maintained a security blockade, along with Egypt, that has reduced Gaza's economy to what the World Bank calls a collapse. Netanyahu's visit to Washington, after Trump said it was time to recognise Israel's sovereignty over the Golan Heights, captured from Syria in the 1967 Middle East war, was seen at home as a bid to boost the right-wing Likud leader's chances of a fifth term. At their White House meeting, Trump signed a declaration codifying US recognition of Israel's hold on the strategic plateau, a dramatic shift from decades of US policy. Syria called the move "a blatant attack" on its sovereignty and territorial integrity. Netanyahu's election prospects have been clouded by graft allegations against him. He has denied any wrongdoing.

Israel, Hamas clash over Gaza, then truce reached

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israel-launches-gaza-strikes-after-rockets-fired-at-tel-aviv-203444">Israeli forces</a> on Tuesday killed a Palestinian suspected of carrying out a deadly stabbing and shooting attack in the occupied West Bank two days earlier, the Israeli Shin Bet security service said.

The assailant was killed after he opened fire at Israeli forces who had come to arrest him, the Shin Bet said. The Palestinian health ministry confirmed a person had been killed in the clash, but provided no further details.&nbsp;

In what appeared to be a separate incident, the Palestinian health ministry said two more Palestinians were shot dead by Israeli soldiers near the West Bank city of Nablus. An Israeli army spokeswoman said the report was being looked into.

On Sunday, a suspected Palestinian assailant fatally stabbed a soldier at an intersection on a busy West Bank highway and opened fire at the scene using the conscript`s rifle, killing an Israeli rabbi and wounding a second soldier.

Palestinians, many of them people without links to armed groups, carried out a wave of attacks in the West Bank in late 2015 and 2016 but the frequency of such incidents has since decreased.

Israel captured the West Bank in the 1967 Middle East war. Palestinians seek to establish a state there and in the Gaza Strip, with East Jerusalem as its capital. Israeli-Palestinian peace talks collapsed in 2014.

Israeli forces on Tuesday killed a Palestinian suspected of carrying out a deadly stabbing and shooting attack in the occupied West Bank two days earlier, the Israeli Shin Bet security service said.

Israeli forces on Tuesday killed a Palestinian suspected of carrying out a deadly stabbing and shooting attack in the occupied West Bank two days earlier, the Israeli Shin Bet security service said. The assailant was killed after he opened fire at Israeli forces who had come to arrest him, the Shin Bet said. The Palestinian health ministry confirmed a person had been killed in the clash, but provided no further details. In what appeared to be a separate incident, the Palestinian health ministry said two more Palestinians were shot dead by Israeli soldiers near the West Bank city of Nablus. An Israeli army spokeswoman said the report was being looked into. On Sunday, a suspected Palestinian assailant fatally stabbed a soldier at an intersection on a busy West Bank highway and opened fire at the scene using the conscript`s rifle, killing an Israeli rabbi and wounding a second soldier. Palestinians, many of them people without links to armed groups, carried out a wave of attacks in the West Bank in late 2015 and 2016 but the frequency of such incidents has since decreased. Israel captured the West Bank in the 1967 Middle East war. Palestinians seek to establish a state there and in the Gaza Strip, with East Jerusalem as its capital. Israeli-Palestinian peace talks collapsed in 2014.

Israeli forces kill Palestinian suspect in West Bank killings

Hamas supporters handed out sweets to passersby and others marched on Sunday (March 17) hailing a lethal attack that killed an Israeli soldier in the occupied West Bank earlier in the day.

A Palestinian stabbed the Israeli soldier to death and used his rifle to wound another soldier and a Jewish settler before escaping, Israeli officials said.

The incident began at an intersection near Ariel, a large settlement, where the Palestinian, having carried out the stabbing and grabbed the slain soldier's gun, fired at three vehicles, hitting a civilian, the Israeli military said.

He then hijacked a car, driving it to another nearby junction where he shot a second soldier before continuing on to a nearby Palestinian village.

It was not immediately clear if more than one assailant was involved. Settler officials identified the wounded civilian as a local rabbi. Hospital officials said he was in critical condition.

The Islamist group Hamas, which rules the Gaza Strip, praised the attack.

Hamas supporters handed out sweets to passersby and others marched on Sunday (March 17) hailing a lethal attack that killed an Israeli soldier in the occupied West Bank earlier in the day.

Hamas supporters handed out sweets to passersby and others marched on Sunday (March 17) hailing a lethal attack that killed an Israeli soldier in the occupied West Bank earlier in the day. A Palestinian stabbed the Israeli soldier to death and used his rifle to wound another soldier and a Jewish settler before escaping, Israeli officials said. The incident began at an intersection near Ariel, a large settlement, where the Palestinian, having carried out the stabbing and grabbed the slain soldier's gun, fired at three vehicles, hitting a civilian, the Israeli military said. He then hijacked a car, driving it to another nearby junction where he shot a second soldier before continuing on to a nearby Palestinian village. It was not immediately clear if more than one assailant was involved. Settler officials identified the wounded civilian as a local rabbi. Hospital officials said he was in critical condition. The Islamist group Hamas, which rules the Gaza Strip, praised the attack.

Hamas supporters in Gaza hail West Bank attack

A gunbattle erupted on Thursday between Afghan forces and supporters of a powerful politician in the northern city of Mazar-i-Sharif who rejected the appointment of a new provincial police chief by President Ashraf Ghani, officials said.

At least five civilians and two security force personnel were wounded in the clash, the latest in a series of stand-offs between Ghani and Atta Mohammad Noor, who built up unrivalled power as governor of Balkh province for more than a decade.

Noor is a leading figure in Jamiat-e Islami, a party that represents Afghanistan`s Tajik minority. A former commander in the anti-Soviet Mujahiddin and considered one of the richest men in Afghanistan, he has faced repeated accusations of corruption, which he denies.&nbsp;

He has continued to defy Ghani`s attempts to retain control over his northern stronghold since stepping aside last year in a deal that allowed him to choose the new provincial police chief.&nbsp;

Several officials in Balkh appointed by Ghani have complained at being blocked from taking up their posts by the refusal of local authorities to recognise their appointments.

Noor has accused Ghani of trying to remove a potential rival and divide Jamiat by appointing his supporters to powerful posts to manipulate the presidential election in July.&nbsp;

The stand-off underlines how far the president`s authority has been challenged. Last month, a governor of the northern province of Samangan defied an attempt by Ghani to remove him.

In a statement online, Noor called on residents to keep shops and markets closed. He said Ghani must withdraw the appointment of Abdul Raqib Mobarez as the province`s new police chief.

He also rejected the appointment of Abdul Latif Sahak`s as head of the agency running the trade post of Hairatan, the border crossing into Uzbekistan that controls a significant slice of Afghanistan`s foreign trade.&nbsp;

Noor called him a "thief and a smuggler". Sahak dismissed his accusations as "baseless" and said he had been appointed after a competitive process by government ministries.

Although no longer in office, he continues to wield enormous influence in the province and he called on supporters to resist Kabul`s influence in local affairs.

"The presidential palace has always been plotting conspiracies with its arbitrary policies. I ask all residents, men and women, of Balkh to be fully ready for defending their dignity," said Noor.

Balkh, which sits on vital trade routes into central Asia, is also one of Afghanistan’s most stable and prosperous provinces, with a much smaller Taliban and Islamic State presence than in other northern regions.

A senior official at the presidential palace said Ghani`s decision to appoint a new police chief in Balkh was "free from bias".

A gunbattle erupted on Thursday between Afghan forces and supporters of a powerful politician in the northern city of Mazar-i-Sharif who rejected the appointment of a new provincial police chief by President Ashraf Ghani, officials said.

A gunbattle erupted on Thursday between Afghan forces and supporters of a powerful politician in the northern city of Mazar-i-Sharif who rejected the appointment of a new provincial police chief by President Ashraf Ghani, officials said. At least five civilians and two security force personnel were wounded in the clash, the latest in a series of stand-offs between Ghani and Atta Mohammad Noor, who built up unrivalled power as governor of Balkh province for more than a decade. Noor is a leading figure in Jamiat-e Islami, a party that represents Afghanistan`s Tajik minority. A former commander in the anti-Soviet Mujahiddin and considered one of the richest men in Afghanistan, he has faced repeated accusations of corruption, which he denies. He has continued to defy Ghani`s attempts to retain control over his northern stronghold since stepping aside last year in a deal that allowed him to choose the new provincial police chief. Several officials in Balkh appointed by Ghani have complained at being blocked from taking up their posts by the refusal of local authorities to recognise their appointments. Noor has accused Ghani of trying to remove a potential rival and divide Jamiat by appointing his supporters to powerful posts to manipulate the presidential election in July. The stand-off underlines how far the president`s authority has been challenged. Last month, a governor of the northern province of Samangan defied an attempt by Ghani to remove him. In a statement online, Noor called on residents to keep shops and markets closed. He said Ghani must withdraw the appointment of Abdul Raqib Mobarez as the province`s new police chief. He also rejected the appointment of Abdul Latif Sahak`s as head of the agency running the trade post of Hairatan, the border crossing into Uzbekistan that controls a significant slice of Afghanistan`s foreign trade. Noor called him a "thief and a smuggler". Sahak dismissed his accusations as "baseless" and said he had been appointed after a competitive process by government ministries. Although no longer in office, he continues to wield enormous influence in the province and he called on supporters to resist Kabul`s influence in local affairs. "The presidential palace has always been plotting conspiracies with its arbitrary policies. I ask all residents, men and women, of Balkh to be fully ready for defending their dignity," said Noor. Balkh, which sits on vital trade routes into central Asia, is also one of Afghanistan’s most stable and prosperous provinces, with a much smaller Taliban and Islamic State presence than in other northern regions. A senior official at the presidential palace said Ghani`s decision to appoint a new police chief in Balkh was "free from bias".

Gunfight erupts in north Afghan city over police chief's appointment

Israeli military aircraft bombed Hamas targets in the Gaza Strip early on Friday, hours after two rockets were launched at Tel Aviv in the first such attack since a 2014 war.

After the overnight exchanges, sirens sounded again in Israeli border towns after dawn. The Israeli military confirmed two more missile launches from the Gaza Strip toward Israel but said both were intercepted by Israel's Iron Dome defence system.

Palestinian news media reported strikes throughout Gaza, from Rafah in the south to the north of the densely populated coastal strip that is home to two million Palestinians.

Most of the Israeli strikes were reported to have targeted facilities used by Hamas's security forces. The buildings had been evacuated as a precaution, as the Islamist militant group had expected an Israeli response.

Health ministry officials in Gaza said two people, a man and a woman, were wounded when their house was damaged in Rafah in the early morning.

Witnesses said powerful explosions from the air strikes rocked buildings in Gaza and lit the skies over targeted sites.

The Israeli military said it was targeting "terror sites" in Gaza. It said rocket sirens were sounded in Israeli communities near the Gaza border.

On Thursday night, the sirens howled farther north, in Tel Aviv, Israel's commercial capital, set off by what the military said were two incoming, longer-range rockets from Gaza.

That salvo caused no casualties or damage, missing built-up areas. But it rattled Israeli nerves ahead of an April 9 election in which Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is seeking a fifth term on the strength of his national security credentials.

Explosions were heard in Tel Aviv and witnesses said interceptor missiles had and detonated - although the military said no rockets were shot down.

It was the first such attack on the city since the 2014 Gaza war between Hamas and Israel. There have been several smaller rounds of fighting since, reined in by Egyptian and UN mediations.

"This was basically a surprise," military spokesman Brigadier-General Ronen Manelis told Israel Radio on Thursday.

In that interview, Manelis said Israel did not yet know who had carried out the rocket launches. But another Israeli military spokesman laid the blame on Hamas on Friday.

"Hamas carried out the rocket fire against Tel Aviv yesterday evening," Lieutenant-Colonel Avichay Adraee said.

Hamas denied involvement, saying the launches took place as its leaders met Egyptian delegates about efforts to secure a long-term ceasefire with Israel.

Islamic Jihad and the Popular Resistance Committees, two smaller Gaza armed factions, also denied responsibility.

Israeli analysts speculated that Palestinian militants opposed to any deal between Hamas and Israel were behind the launchings.

The flare-up of Thursday and Friday drew a US statement of support for Israel.

"Hamas and other terror orgs in Gaza continue to fail their people day after day &amp; drag Gaza further &amp; further down by constantly choosing violence," Jason Greenblatt, the White House's Middle East envoy, said on Twitter. "This method will never work. Ever!"

Naftali Bennett, a right-wing member of Netanyahu's security Cabinet whose party is competing against the veteran prime minister's for votes in the looming election, demanded that Israel resume its assassination of Hamas chiefs.

"The time has come to defeat Hamas once and for all," he said on Thursday night.

Netanyahu also faced pressure from the centre-left opposition, whose leading candidate, former General Benny Gantz, said: "Only aggressive, harsh action will restore the deterrence that has eroded" under the prime minister's watch.

Tensions have been high for the past year along the Israel-Gaza frontier since Palestinians began violent protests near Israel's border fence that have often drawn a lethal response from the Israeli military.

About 200 Palestinians have been killed in the demonstrations and about 60 more Palestinians have died in other incidents, including exchanges of fire across the border. Two Israeli soldiers have been killed by Palestinian fire.

The one-year anniversary of the start of the protests is on March 30.

On Friday, Islamic Jihad's armed wing said in a statement that it declared full alert among its fighters to respond to Israeli attacks.

Israeli military aircraft bombed Hamas targets in the Gaza Strip early on Friday, hours after two rockets were launched at Tel Aviv in the first such attack since a 2014 war.

Israeli military aircraft bombed Hamas targets in the Gaza Strip early on Friday, hours after two rockets were launched at Tel Aviv in the first such attack since a 2014 war. After the overnight exchanges, sirens sounded again in Israeli border towns after dawn. The Israeli military confirmed two more missile launches from the Gaza Strip toward Israel but said both were intercepted by Israel's Iron Dome defence system. Palestinian news media reported strikes throughout Gaza, from Rafah in the south to the north of the densely populated coastal strip that is home to two million Palestinians. Most of the Israeli strikes were reported to have targeted facilities used by Hamas's security forces. The buildings had been evacuated as a precaution, as the Islamist militant group had expected an Israeli response. Health ministry officials in Gaza said two people, a man and a woman, were wounded when their house was damaged in Rafah in the early morning. Witnesses said powerful explosions from the air strikes rocked buildings in Gaza and lit the skies over targeted sites. The Israeli military said it was targeting "terror sites" in Gaza. It said rocket sirens were sounded in Israeli communities near the Gaza border. On Thursday night, the sirens howled farther north, in Tel Aviv, Israel's commercial capital, set off by what the military said were two incoming, longer-range rockets from Gaza. That salvo caused no casualties or damage, missing built-up areas. But it rattled Israeli nerves ahead of an April 9 election in which Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is seeking a fifth term on the strength of his national security credentials. Explosions were heard in Tel Aviv and witnesses said interceptor missiles had and detonated - although the military said no rockets were shot down. It was the first such attack on the city since the 2014 Gaza war between Hamas and Israel. There have been several smaller rounds of fighting since, reined in by Egyptian and UN mediations. "This was basically a surprise," military spokesman Brigadier-General Ronen Manelis told Israel Radio on Thursday. In that interview, Manelis said Israel did not yet know who had carried out the rocket launches. But another Israeli military spokesman laid the blame on Hamas on Friday. "Hamas carried out the rocket fire against Tel Aviv yesterday evening," Lieutenant-Colonel Avichay Adraee said. Hamas denied involvement, saying the launches took place as its leaders met Egyptian delegates about efforts to secure a long-term ceasefire with Israel. Islamic Jihad and the Popular Resistance Committees, two smaller Gaza armed factions, also denied responsibility. Israeli analysts speculated that Palestinian militants opposed to any deal between Hamas and Israel were behind the launchings. The flare-up of Thursday and Friday drew a US statement of support for Israel. "Hamas and other terror orgs in Gaza continue to fail their people day after day & drag Gaza further & further down by constantly choosing violence," Jason Greenblatt, the White House's Middle East envoy, said on Twitter. "This method will never work. Ever!" Naftali Bennett, a right-wing member of Netanyahu's security Cabinet whose party is competing against the veteran prime minister's for votes in the looming election, demanded that Israel resume its assassination of Hamas chiefs. "The time has come to defeat Hamas once and for all," he said on Thursday night. Netanyahu also faced pressure from the centre-left opposition, whose leading candidate, former General Benny Gantz, said: "Only aggressive, harsh action will restore the deterrence that has eroded" under the prime minister's watch. Tensions have been high for the past year along the Israel-Gaza frontier since Palestinians began violent protests near Israel's border fence that have often drawn a lethal response from the Israeli military. About 200 Palestinians have been killed in the demonstrations and about 60 more Palestinians have died in other incidents, including exchanges of fire across the border. Two Israeli soldiers have been killed by Palestinian fire. The one-year anniversary of the start of the protests is on March 30. On Friday, Islamic Jihad's armed wing said in a statement that it declared full alert among its fighters to respond to Israeli attacks.

Israel launches Gaza strikes after rockets fired at Tel Aviv

Palestinian Prime Minister Rami Al-Hamdallah has tendered his resignation and that of his unity government to President Mahmoud Abbas, he said on Tuesday, dealing a blow to faltering reconciliation <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/two-palestinians-killed-in-clashes-with-israeli-troops-in-gaza-west-bank-192841">efforts with Gaza'</a>s Islamist Hamas rulers.

The government will continue to carry out its duties until a new one is formed, it said in a statement issued after a weekly cabinet meeting.

There was no immediate comment from Abbas, but his Fatah faction, at a meeting he chaired two days ago, recommended that the government be replaced. A Hamas official condemned the move as an attempt to marginalise and exclude the group from Palestinian politics.

Hamdallah, a little-known academic, headed the national unity government formed in 2014 and led the West Bank-based Fatah's reconciliation efforts with Hamas, which seized power in Gaza in 2007.

The two groups signed a reconciliation deal two years ago which set in motion a plan for Abbas's Palestinian Authority to resume governing in Gaza and take up control of the coastal enclave's crossing points into Egypt and Israel.

But disputes over power-sharing and disagreements over policy towards Israel have hampered the deal's implementation.

Palestinian Prime Minister Rami Al-Hamdallah has tendered his resignation and that of his unity government to President Mahmoud Abbas, he said on Tuesday, dealing a blow to faltering reconciliation efforts with Gaza's Islamist Hamas rulers.

Palestinian Prime Minister Rami Al-Hamdallah has tendered his resignation and that of his unity government to President Mahmoud Abbas, he said on Tuesday, dealing a blow to faltering reconciliation efforts with Gaza's Islamist Hamas rulers. The government will continue to carry out its duties until a new one is formed, it said in a statement issued after a weekly cabinet meeting. There was no immediate comment from Abbas, but his Fatah faction, at a meeting he chaired two days ago, recommended that the government be replaced. A Hamas official condemned the move as an attempt to marginalise and exclude the group from Palestinian politics. Hamdallah, a little-known academic, headed the national unity government formed in 2014 and led the West Bank-based Fatah's reconciliation efforts with Hamas, which seized power in Gaza in 2007. The two groups signed a reconciliation deal two years ago which set in motion a plan for Abbas's Palestinian Authority to resume governing in Gaza and take up control of the coastal enclave's crossing points into Egypt and Israel. But disputes over power-sharing and disagreements over policy towards Israel have hampered the deal's implementation.

Palestinian PM Al-Hamdallah and his unity government resigns

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