In a new flare-up of hostilities, three people were injured lightly after Hamas rocketed the southern Israeli community, which reacted with multiple central Gaza airstrikes following the attack by the Israeli army, both according to Palestinian and Israeli sources.
Earlier on Sunday, the armed wing of Hamas, the Al-Qassam Brigades, took responsibility for firing rockets at Ashdod city, saying it was in retaliation against alleged Israeli "massacres" of Palestinian civilians, Xinhua reported.
Israeli military spokesperson Avichay Adraee has confirmed that 10 rockets were launched from Gaza, and most of them were successfully intercepted by Israel's defense systems. Due to this, warning sirens were activated in Ashdod, Ashkelon, Yavne, and their surroundings.
Based on Israel's Kan TV News, a rocket had landed in downtown Ashkelon, wounding three individuals. In reply, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu directed the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) to provide a "tough" response.
The IDF confirmed afterwards that it had carried out airstrikes on Gaza rocket launch points, including within Deir al-Balah, from where the launches were apparently conducted.
Local residents in Gaza reported to Xinhua that several airstrikes hit different areas in Deir al-Balah on Sunday evening, causing loud explosions in the area. They witnessed Israeli warplanes and surveillance drones carrying out extended air reconnaissance.
No casualties had been reported from Gaza as of the latest news update despite the intensive shelling.
Israel resumed intense military action in Gaza on March 18, and Gaza's health authorities say these renewed attacks have killed 1,335 Palestinians and wounded 3,297 as of Sunday.
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