Israel strikes Gaza targets after Hamas rocket launches

JERUSALEM — Israel struck targets in the Gaza Strip after dozens of rockets were launched Wednesday from the coastal territory ruled by the Islamic group Hamas, the Israeli military said.

The exchange came amid continued attempts by Egypt to broker a broad cease-fire deal between Israel and Hamas.

Sirens wailed in southern Israel, warning of incoming rockets from Gaza, and Israeli media reported six people were wounded by shrapnel in the border town of Sderot.

One Palestinian rocket hit a house, Israeli media said, showing footage of houses and cars pockmarked with shrapnel. Reports said it wasn’t clear if one of the injured people was wounded by a rocket or by debris from the rocket defense system.

The military said that it identified 36 rockets fired from Gaza at Israel and that the Iron Dome defense system intercepted several of them.

Gaza residents reported several Israeli airstrikes after the Palestinian rocket barrage.

Israel’s military later confirmed it struck Gaza, saying it hit 12 Hamas sites in all, including “an offensive maritime terror tunnel … several terror sites in military compounds throughout the Gaza Strip … rocket manufacturing facilities and a central logistical military complex.”

Gaza’s Health Ministry said three Palestinians were slightly injured in the strikes.

Israel’s military earlier said shots were fired from Gaza at civilians working on the barrier that separates the territory and Israel, damaging a vehicle.

On Tuesday, Israel struck a Hamas military post in Gaza, saying it was in response to militant fire at Israeli troops. Hamas said two of its fighters were killed. It also disputed Israel’s account, saying shots were fired as part of a graduation ceremony for a group of fighters inside the camp.

Also Wednesday, a United Nations aid agency called on Israel to allow emergency fuel into the Gaza Strip to avert the shutdown of hospitals and sanitation facilities.