Israeli warplanes strike Gaza after rocket fire

By Anees Bargouthi

GAZA CITY, Palestine (AA) - Israeli warplanes launched airstrikes in the blockaded Gaza Strip on Sunday, shortly after a rocket was fired into southern Israel.

The Israeli military said in a statement that a rocket hit the southern city of Sderot from the Palestinian territory.

"In response to the attack, the Israeli air forces and armored corps targeted two Hamas posts in southern Gaza Strip,” the statement said.

Eyewitness told Anadolu Agency that the Israeli airstrikes targeted a training site for the Ezzedin al-Qassam Brigades, Hamas’ armed wing, in Beit Lahia town in northern Gaza Strip.

Israeli artillery also fired three shells into an open area near Beit Hanoun in northern Gaza strip, they added.

Palestinian health ministry spokesman Ashraf Al-Qidra said one Palestinian was moderately wounded in the Israeli shelling.

In July and August of 2014, Israel waged a weeks-long military offensive against the Gaza Strip with the ostensible aim of staunching rocket fire from the coastal enclave.

Over 2,160 Palestinians, mostly civilians, were killed -- and some 11,000 injured -- during the 51-day onslaught. Some 73 Israelis, mostly soldiers, were killed in the offensive.