Gaza: Israeli strikes on the Gaza Strip wounded five Hamas security officers and a boy on Saturday after fighters launched mortar bombs into Israel, lightly injuring two people, Gaza medics and the army said.
The Israeli army confirmed dozens of mortar shells had landed in Israel, one hitting a house at an agricultural community close to the border, and that two people were hurt.
Israeli media reports put the number of shells fired by fighters at around 50, making it one of the heaviest barrages launched by militants for months.
Hamas, which rules the Gaza Strip, claimed responsibility for firing 10 of Saturday's mortars, an unusual move after a long period in which it had let other smaller militant groups do its bidding.
An army spokesman said Israel was holding Hamas "solely responsible for the attacks".
Gaza residents reported hearing constant shelling along the enclave's border with Israel and the Israeli spokesman said tanks assisted by aircraft were firing at targets in the coastal strip.
