Hamas says it has launched a “big” rocket attack at the Tel Aviv area in central Israel.
At least eight rockets were launched from the Rafah area in southern Gaza, the Israeli military said, adding that several were intercepted. No injuries were reported.
The attack – the first time in nearly four months that Hamas has attacked central Israel – comes as Israel carries out amilitary operation in Rafah, defying a ruling by the UN’s top court.
It also took place ahead of further ceasefire negotiations between Israel and Hamas, which are expected to resume next week.
With the attack, Hamas may be trying to show its strength ahead of the talks – or trying to derail them.
A degree of normality had returned to Tel Aviv – the economic centre of Israel – since it was last attacked in January.
But the air raid sirens which sounded in cities including Tel Aviv, Herzliya and Petah Tikva were another reminder of the threat Hamas poses to people across Israel.
Footage published by Israeli media appeared to show rocket damage to buildings in Herzlia and the central town of Kfar Saba.
The military wing of Hamas, the Izzedine al-Qassam Brigades, said the rocket attack was in response to “the massacre of civilians”.
Hamas did not confirm the attack was launched from Rafah, where fighting has been reported near the Kuwaiti Hospital.
Palestinian media said that at least one person had been killed and several others injured in an Israeli air strike on a residential home in central Rafah.
