Gaza Militants Fire Rockets; Israel Reprisals Kill 3

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2019-05-05

Militants fired a barrage of rockets Saturday from the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip into southern Israel, the Israeli military said.

Israel retaliated with air strikes from Israeli aircraft and tanks. The Gaza Health Ministry said four Palestinians died, including a pregnant woman and an infant.

One airstrike Saturday struck a building housing the Turkish news agency Anadolu. Turkey strongly condemned the strike.

Israel said at least 250 rockets were lobbed into Israeli territory and that dozens were intercepted by Israel’s air defense systems.

Four Israelis were wounded by the rockets.

On Friday, four Palestinians were killed by Israeli fire, while two Israelis soldiers were wounded in weekly protests near the border.

The flare-up comes as Hamas and Islamic Jihad leaders are in Cairo trying to finalize a fragile agreement that was hoped to lead to a long-term cease-fire in Gaza.

The latest violent outbreak, the most intense along the Gaza in weeks, also comes days before Muslims begin the holy month of Ramadan and Israelis celebrate Independence Day.

The Eurovision song contest is also to be held in Israel at the middle of the month.

Source: Voice of America

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