Israel strikes back at Hamas targets in Gaza

Israeli warplanes on Friday struck Hamas militant targets in the southern Gaza Strip in response to a rocket attack hours earlier on the Israeli city of Tel Aviv. The Israeli military said in a statement it hit about 100 Hamas targets, and Palestinian media reported the strikes hit the group’s naval bases. Rockets from Gaza struck Tel Aviv on Thursday for the first time since 2014. Sirens blared, warning civilians to seek shelter. Neither side reported casualties. Hamas denied responsibility for the initial strikes, saying they went against Palestinian interests. Israeli media on Friday quoted defense officials saying preliminary investigation suggested the rockets were fired by mistake.

The Israeli military said its Iron Dome defense system intercepted all but one of six missiles fired at Israel. Cross-border fighting persisted into Friday morning. The latest clashes between the warring sides come as Israel prepares for general elections in April.