Israel targets Hamas sites after Gaza rocket attack

Hamas security forces stand guard during a protest at the east of Jabaliya refugee camp, near the border between Israel and Gaza Strip, on December 29, 2017. Mohammed Saber / EPA

Israeli warplanes attacked Hamas bases in Gaza on Tuesday in response to a rocket from the Palestinian enclave targeting southern Israel.

The aircraft targeted a "military compound belonging to the terrorist organisation Hamas", the Israeli military said.

Palestinian security sources said the strikes were in Khan Younes in the south and Deir Al Balah in central Gaza, causing damage but no casualties.

On Monday night, a rocket hit a town in southern Israel, causing no damage or casualties.

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Palestinian militants in Gaza have fired 18 rockets or mortar rounds at Israel in violence that erupted after US president Donald Trump's December 6 recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital. Six of the missiles were intercepted by its Iron Dome defence system.

The projectiles are often fired by fringe groups, but Israel holds Gaza's militant rulers Hamas responsible for any attacks from the territory and retaliates by targeting Hamas positions.