Israeli strikes hit Gaza as Palestinian militants fire rockets towards Jerusalem

Smoke rises from an explosion caused by an Israeli air strike in the Gaza Strip (Hatem Moussa/AP)

Israeli fighter jets have struck targets in the Gaza Strip and Palestinian militants fired rockets towards Jerusalem, further escalating the most violent flare-up in months despite efforts to broker a ceasefire.

An Israeli air strike killed two Palestinians in a residential building in Gaza City on Friday afternoon, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry.