Israeli forces strike Hamas targets as rocket barrages launched from Gaza

The Israeli military on Saturday said it is striking targets in the Gaza Strip as air raid sirens sounded in Jerusalem after the Hamas militant group announced a new operation against Israel.

The Israeli military said “a number of terrorists have infiltrated into Israeli territory”, without divulging further details.

Some videos posted on social media showed what appeared to be uniformed gunmen inside the Israeli border town of Sderot. The appeared to show clashes in city streets. The sound of gunfire could be heard in the videos, whose authenticity could not immediately be verified.

Mohammad Deif, a senior Hamas military commander, in a broadcast called on Palestinians everywhere to join the fight.

“This is the day of the greatest battle end the last occupation on earth,” he said, adding that 5,000 rockets had been launched.