Israel launches airstrikes on Gaza in afternoon raids

Israel on Saturday afternoon launched airstrikes on the besieged Gaza Strip aimed at Hamas positions, according to local security sources and eyewitnesses.

The majority of Israel’s rockets targeted bases belonging to Izzedine al-Qassam Brigades — the Hamas movement’s military wing.

This comes after Israel said it struck two Hamas tunnels during air-raids on Gaza in the early hours of Saturday.

The Israeli warplanes on Saturday afternoon bombed the surroundings of the Arab American University in Best Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip when targeting the al-Qassam run Palestine military training site. 

Israel struck the area with more than 14 rockets in less than 20 minutes, hitting an agriculture field, according to The New Arab's Gaza correspondent.

In the central Gaza Strip, Israeli warplanes targeted a Hamas position.

Israeli had also shelled an empty area near the Salah al-Din gate on the Egyptian-Palestinian border with a number of rockets.

Translation: Israeli airstrikes on Hamas positions in southern Gaza

The al-Zaytoun neighbourhood, south of Gaza City was also struck by Israeli airstrikes.

The Hamas-run Gaza health ministry says no casualties were caused as a result of the offensive.

In retaliation, Hamas launched a number of rockets aimed at Israel, some of which were failed to be intercepted by Israel’s Iron Dome defence system.

The group also vowed revenge for the attacks.