Israeli army begins airstrikes in Gaza

The Israeli army have today confirmed an airstrike on a Hamas target in central Gaza.

Another air strike targeted a trailer housing security guards of a senior Hamas official, killing a Hamas militant, an ambulance driver said.

Several people were wounded in the strike.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas postponed a planned visit to the Gaza Strip, officials said.

Abbas, of Fatah, had been scheduled to meet with Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh of Hamas in a bid to halt this week’s factional fighting.

Officials in Abbas’ office said the trip would be delayed by at least a day, but gave no firm time for his visit.

The decision came after a new outbreak of infighting and the Israeli airstrike in Gaza, and signalled that Abbas’ safety could not be guaranteed in Gaza.

Presidential aide Saeb Erekat said Abbas was determined to travel to Gaza in the next day or two.

“The reason for the trip is to stop the fighting,” he said.