Israeli strikes hit Gaza Strip after mortar fire, Hamas says

More than 25 mortar shells fired from Gaza as sirens warn residents to find shelter

A battery of Israeli Iron Dome defence system, designed to intercept and destroy incoming short-range rockets and artillery shells, is seen near fire along the border with the Gaza Strip. Ahmad GharabShow more

Tel Aviv struck militant bases in the Gaza Strip on Tuesday, the enclave's rulers Hamas said, just hours after nearly 30 mortars were fired at Israel.

At least three bases belonging to Hamas and Islamic Jihad, an allied group, were struck, eyewitnesses said, according to AFP.

Israel's military said on Twitter: "Our forces are currently operating in the Gaza Strip. The explosions heard there are a result of this. More details will come later."

Earlier on Tuesday, the Israeli military said more than 25 mortar shells were fired from Gaza towards communities in southern Israel in what appeared to be the largest single barrage fired since the 2014 Israel-Hamas war.

No one was hurt and the military said most were intercepted by the Iron Dome defence system. But the high volume of projectiles came as tensions have been running high along the Israel-Gaza border.

Israeli media reported that one of the shells landed near a kindergarten shortly before it opened.

The border area has been tense in recent weeks as the Palestinians have held mass protests aimed at lifting a blockade imposed by Israel and Egypt after Hamas seized power in 2007.

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Israeli fire has killed more than 110 Palestinians, most of them during the Hamas-led protests, which climaxed on May 14. On Sunday, Israeli shelling killed three Palestinian militants.

On Monday, a tank fired at a Hamas position in the Gaza Strip, killing one man and wounding another, after Israeli troops came under fire on the frontier while apprehending two armed Palestinians.

Hamas has said that a boatful of students and medical patients is to set sail out of Gaza City's port on Tuesday, aiming to break 11 years of naval blockade imposed by Israel, which could spark further conflict.

Hamas has vowed to continue the border rallies. Israel says it is defending its border as well as its communities nearby. It accuses Hamas of trying to carry out attacks under the cover of protests.