Israel bombs Gaza after rocket fire

The Israeli army has bombed targets in the Gaza Strip overnight after a rocket was fired from the blockaded Palestinian territory. Israeli attacks were recorded in at least three locations in Hamas-governed Gaza, Palestinian security sources and witnesses said, with Hamas bases struck near the southern city of Rafah and Gaza City, as well as an empty area in the centre of Gaza.

Ovijaa Odraei, Israeli army spokesperson, said the strikes were in "response to projectile fire" launched from Gaza. The rocket was claimed by a previously unheard-of Salafist group, but Odraei said on Facebook that Hamas was responsible for any attack on Israel because Gaza was under Hamas rule.

Hamas leaders earlier this month said they were not interested in escalating tensions, even as electricity cuts requested by Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, and facilitated by Israel, threatened to lead to new violence. This was echoed by Avidgor Lieberman, Israel's defence minister, on Monday, who said Israel has "no intention of launching a military operation" against Gaza