Israel bombs Gaza after rocket fire

The Israeli army has bombed targets in the Gaza Strip
overnight after a rocket was fired from the blockaded
Palestinian territory.

Israeli attacks were recorded in at least three locations in
Hamas-governed Gaza, Palestinian security sources and
witnesses said, with Hamas bases struck near the 
southern city of Rafah and Gaza City, as well as an 
empty area in the centre of Gaza.

The interior ministry in Gaza said in a statement the attack
from Israel caused damage but it did not provide specifics.

Ashraf al-Qidra, Palestinian health ministry spokesman, 
said no casualities were recorded as a result of the attacks.

Ovijaa Odraei, Israeli army spokesperson, said the strikes 
were in "response to projectile fire" launched from Gaza.

The rocket was claimed by a previously unheard-of 
Salafist group, but Odraei said on Facebook that Hamas 
was responsible for any attack on Israel because Gaza 
was under Hamas rule.

In a statement, Hamas spokesman Fawzi Barhoum 
accused Israel of fabricating false claims of rocket fire in 
order to justify strikes in Gaza.

He said Israel is playing what he called "a dangerous 
and transparent game".

Hamas leaders earlier this month said they were not interested in escalating tensions, even as electricity 
cuts requested by Palestinian Authority President 
Mahmoud Abbas, and facilitated by Israel, threatened to 
lead to new violence.

This was echoed by Avidgor Lieberman, Israeli defence
minister, on Monday, who said Israel has "no intention of
launching a military operation" against Gaza.