UPDATE - Israeli army declares ‘state of readiness’ for war

Intense rocket salvoes fired from Gaza toward Israel- 1 killed, several injured in rockets attack

UPDATES WITH MORE INFORMATION; CHANGES HEADLINE, LEDE, DECK

By Nour Abu Aisha

GAZA CITY, Palestine (AA) – The Israeli army has declared a “state of readiness” for war after Palestinian factions in the Gaza Strip fired an intense barrage of rockets early Saturday toward Israel, reports Israel Broadcasting Authority.

The rocket salvoes were fired from different locations in the enclave but Israel’s Iron Dome defense system intercepted many, according to an Anadolu correspondent.

An Israeli woman was killed after a rocket fell on the Gaza envelope area, the Israeli Broadcasting Authority reported.

The Broadcasting Authority also reported a number of injuries that occurred in Ashkelon, without providing further details.

Sirens sounded in central Israel and Tel Aviv, the Israeli army said in a statement.

Sirens sounded also in Tel Aviv, Rehovot, Rishon Lezion, and the Palmachim Airbase, according to media outlets, including the Walla news website.

The Al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of the Palestinian resistance group Hamas, announced starting an operation with rockets targeting enemy sites, airports, and military installations.

“5,000 rockets and shells were fired from Gaza towards Israel in the first 20 minutes of operation,” the Al-Qassam Brigades said in a statement.

The Israeli Radio reported that a number of Palestinian gunmen sneaked into Israeli areas adjacent to the Gaza Strip.

Israel deployed its forces to deal with the Palestinian gunmen's infiltration from Gaza, the Army Radio added.

Armed clashes between Palestinian factions and Israeli forces are taking place on the eastern Gaza Strip's fence, according to an Anadolu correspondent.

Witnesses told Anadolu that gunmen from Palestinian factions opened fire on Israeli boats off the Gaza Strip.

The Palestinian factions have been firing rockets toward Israeli settlements and cities continuously for more than an hour, witnesses added.

Schools were closed in the Gaza Strip until further notice, according to the Palestinian Education Ministry in Gaza.

*Writing by Ikram Kouachi

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