GAZA - Hamas military chief Mohammed Deif has declared the start of a "military operation" against Israel, in a statement early on Saturday, following a barrage of rocket attacks from the Gaza Strip, reported German news agency (dpa).
The aim of Operation Al-Aqsa Flood is to put an end to Israeli "violations", Deif said in his brief recorded statement.
One woman has been killed and 15 people injured in the massive rocket attacks from the Gaza Strip that started early on Saturday, setting off warning sirens in several cities across the country.
The woman, aged around 60, was fatally injured in a direct hit near the town of Gedera, according to the Magen David Adom rescue service.
The massive attack from the Gaza Strip came as a surprise. The situation had recently escalated again, especially in the occupied West Bank. Since Thursday, four Palestinians have died in their own attacks or in confrontations with the army. - BERNAMA-dpa