Israeli air strikes hit Gaza after Hamas rocket fire

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01:04

Israeli air strikes in Gaza killed three Palestinians and destroyed a Hamas TV building on Monday after a barrage of rocket fire from the enclave, as renewed violence threatened to derail efforts to end months of unrest.

The flare-up came after a deadly Israeli special forces operation in the Gaza Strip on Sunday that left Hamas vowing revenge.

Israel's military said it had so far struck more than 70 militant sites in response to over 300 rockets fired from the Hamas-run territory Monday afternoon into the evening.

Missile defenses had intercepted dozens of the rockets from Gaza and most others fell in open areas, though some hit houses and other civilian structures, the military said. Medics reported at least 10 Israelis wounded.

Rockets are launched toward Israel from the Gaza Strip, November 12, 2018. /VCG Photo

The army said an Israeli bus was hit by an anti-tank missile from the Gaza Strip, causing several injuries. A soldier was severely wounded, it said.

Palestinian militant groups in Gaza, including Hamas, claimed responsibility for the rocket fire and the missile attack on the bus, which they said was being used by Israeli soldiers.

Israeli military spokesman Jonathan Conricus said he could not yet provide further details on the bus or its passengers.

Gaza's health ministry said three Palestinians were killed in the Israeli strikes and nine wounded.

Security personnel check a damaged house in the Israeli city of Ashkelon, following a rocket attack from Gaza, November 12, 2018. /VCG Photo

The building for Hamas's Al-Aqsa TV was destroyed in an Israeli strike after a series of warning shots, with Israel's army saying the station "contributes to Hamas's military actions."

No injuries were reported and workers were believed to have evacuated after the warning shots.

Gaza militants threatened a harsh response and, according to police, more rockets hit in the Israeli city of Ashkelon.

Hamas said the initial rocket fire was in revenge for the deadly Israeli operation late Sunday.

Relatives of Palestinian Khaled Qwaider, who was killed in an Israeli air strike, mourn during his funeral, in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip, November 12, 2018. /VCG Photo

On Sunday, a clash erupted during the covert operation in the Gaza Strip that killed seven Palestinian militants, including a local commander for Hamas's armed wing, as well as an Israeli army officer.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu cut short a trip to Paris and rushed home as tensions rose, and on Monday convened a meeting of security chiefs.

UN Middle East envoy Nickolay Mladenov, who along with Egypt has been seeking a long-term truce between Israel and Hamas, called the escalation "extremely dangerous" and said on Twitter that "restraint must be shown by all."

A Palestinian man looks on as he stands in front of a building that was destroyed by an Israeli air strike, in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip, November 12, 2018. /VCG Photo

The latest clashes came after months of deadly unrest along the Gaza-Israel border had appeared to be calming.

Israel and Palestinian militants in Gaza have fought three wars since 2008, and recent months have raised fears of a fourth.

Deadly clashes have accompanied major protests along the Gaza-Israel border that began on March 30.

At least 231 Palestinians have since been killed by Israeli fire, the majority shot during protests and clashes, while others died in tank fire or air strikes. Two Israeli soldiers have been killed in that time.

Source(s): AFP