Israel carried out an air strike on two vehicles driving in Gaza City on Saturday. Four Hamas members were killed and nine other people were wounded, Palestinian doctors and Hamas officials said.
Earlier, the Israel Air Force launched three strikes on targets in the Gaza Strip early Saturday in the first such attacks since Israel completed its pullout from the area. Palestinian medical sources reported three people were lightly injured in this operation.
These air strikes came after Palestinians launched 25 Qassam rockets at targets in Israel, wounding five Israelis, one moderately and the others lightly, the Israeli army said. The Palestinian offensive followed what Hamas said was an Israeli attack on a military rally, which killed 17 Palestinians and wounded many more.
Israel's Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz has instructed the army to carry out a series of "harsh and varied operations in the Gaza Strip," following a meeting with senior officials, Ynetnews reported on Saturday.
Following this meeting, the Israeli army has started moving troops towards the northern Gaza Strip.
The Israeli army stated the air strikes targeted three Hamas weapons facilities, a weapons warehouse in the Jabalya refugee camp in northern Gaza Strip, a weapons factory in Gaza City and another weapons warehouse in Gaza City.
Hamas spokesman Mushir al Masri promised retaliation for the airstrikes.
