Israel and militants exchange fire

Gaza militants said they have fired rockets at Israel a day after the Israeli military killed seven Palestinians, including three children and their uncle.

The first rocket landed near the coastal city of Ashdod, and the Israeli military said it carried out a retaliatory airstrike early today.

No Israeli injuries were reported in the rocket attack, but Palestinians said one militant was killed in the Israeli airstrike.

Hours later, a rocket struck southern Israel’s largest city, Beersheba, wounding one person. Islamic Jihad claimed responsibility for both rocket attacks.

The killing of the Palestinian civilians yesterday dramatically escalated a recent round of simmering violence. Israel said a mortar strike targeting militants had gone astray.