JERUSALEM (AP) — As militants in Gaza continue their rocket fire at Israel, four rockets have been launched toward Jerusalem, setting off air raid sirens across the city. Israel’s military says two of the rockets were intercepted, while two others fell in open areas.
Military officials say Israel struck more than 320 Hamas targets overnight, focusing on underground tunnel networks and rocket-launching sites. But the Palestinians say the strikes also hit a home and a beachside cafe, killing eight people at each of the locations.
No Israelis have been seriously harmed by the incoming rockets, as the “Iron Dome” defense system has intercepted at least 70 of the ones headed for major cities. The system is designed to allow the other missiles to fall in open areas.
Secretary of State John Kerry, in Beijing for a summit with Chinese leaders, said the U.S. is trying to stem the violence in a way that allows Israel to keep defending itself from Hamas rocket fire.
%@AP Links
APPHOTO AXLP102: Smoke rise following an Israeli strike on Gaza, seen from the Israel Gaza border on Thursday, July 10, 2014. Israel dramatically escalated its aerial assault in Gaza Thursday hitting hundreds of Hamas targets, as Palestinians reported more than a dozen of people killed in strikes that hit a home and a beachside cafe and Israel’s missile defense system once again intercepted rockets fired by militants at the country’s heartland. (AP Photo/Lefteris Pitarakis) (10 Jul 2014)
< Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.