Israel army strikes Gaza target after rocket attack

An Israeli aircraft struck what its military said was a Hamas military target in the southern Gaza Strip late on Monday, shortly after Gaza militants fired a rocket into Israel.

The rocket landed in an open area and did not cause any damage or injuries, Israeli media reported. But it broke a weeks-long lull in airstrikes in the area.

According to Palestinian security sources, the Israeli raid caused only material damage in Rafah, southern Gaza.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the rocket fire from the neighbouring Gaza Strip, which is ruled by Hamas. But Israel holds Gaza’s Hamas rulers responsible for all fire out of the territory and usually responds to rocket attacks with air strikes on Hamas targets. There were no reports of casualties from the Israeli air strike.

In the Israeli-occupied West Bank, meanwhile, the Israeli army said it opened fire at three Palestinian men who were throwing firebombs at troops near the settlement of Einav.

It said one of the suspects was hit, while the two others managed to flee. There were no further details on the condition of the man who was shot.

Israel had previously bombed Gaza almost daily since August 6, in response to the launch of airborne incendiary devices and rocket fire.