Palestinian officials say a new wave of Israeli airstrikes hit multiple targets in the Gaza Strip late Thursday, after militants there fired at least 10 rockets and mortars into Israel.
The Palestinians say Israeli planes bombed an arms depot in northern Gaza, a military facility near Gaza City once used as the Palestinian Authority’s intelligence headquarters, and other sites.
The strikes were said to have hit buildings belonging to the Islamist group Hamas, which rules Gaza. Medical officials say several people were injured.
Also Thursday, U.S. President Barack Obama called Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to express concern about a bombing in Jerusalem Wednesday that killed a British tourist and wounded at least 31 other people.
The White House said that during the call, Mr. Obama reaffirmed the U.S. commitment to Israel’s security.
Israeli officials have blamed Palestinian militants for the attack.
U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates, who is on a trip to Israel, called Wednesday’s bombing a “horrific terrorist attack.” He also condemned Palestinian rocket attacks on Israel.
On Thursday, Gates met with Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak and Israeli Prime Minister Shimon Peres, and is to meet with Mr. Netanyahu on Friday.
Barak said Israel will not tolerate attacks against its citizens. He blamed Hamas for the rocket fire and vowed to strike back. Barak said that because Hamas is in power in Gaza, the group must control the actions of Islamic Jihad and other militant groups.
Gates arrived in Israel after holding talks with Egyptian officials in Cairo on the opposition movements that are sweeping through much of the Middle East. Gates travels to Jordan after wrapping up talks in Israel.
