Israel targets Hamas sites

Israeli aircraft attacked Hamas bases in Gaza early yesterday in response to a rocket from the Palestinian enclave targeting southern Israel hours before, officials said.

The aircraft targeted a "military compound belonging to the terrorist organisation Hamas," a statement from the army read.

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.

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