Israel has carried out a series of air strikes in the Gaza Strip. For the first time since the major offensive launched one year ago, Gaza City was also targeted.

According to Palestinian reports, at least three people were killed. The Israeli army say that four rockets were fired; one at the weapon factory in Gaza City, the others targeting tunnels running under the border with Egypt. Israeli authorities claim that the tunnels are used to supply Hamas with weapons; Palestinian sources say that they are used to bring in staple supplies. Palestinians say that after the air raid, an undetermined number of people were trapped in the tunnels.

The Israeli army says that the air raid was carried out after mortar shells and a rocket fired from the Gaza Strip struck Israel, and that attacks carried out from within Palestina have recently increased. Israel moreover says that leaflets were dropped over Gaza warning of the raid in advance. 

 Photo: large areas of Gaza City still in ruin after the last offensive (EPA)