The rockets were launched from the Gaza Strip only hours after Israeli soldiers killed seven gunmen and two civilians in a raid on the volatile town of Jenin. It was the single largest death toll in years of conflict.
Israel’s missile defenses have intercepted several rockets launched from the Gaza Strip.
Thursday’s Israeli incursion in the occupied West Bank resulted in the highest single death toll in years of combat in the region, prompting the cross-border shooting.
The midnight rocket fire caused sirens to sound in Israeli villages near the Gaza border, alerting inhabitants to seek shelter.
There were no injuries reported.
Israel’s Channel 12 broadcast footage of Israeli interceptor missiles being launched above the city of Ashkelon, some seven miles (12 kilometers) north of Hamas-controlled Gaza.
A few hours later, the Israeli military reported conducting strikes in Gaza.
According to Palestinian witnesses, Israeli aircraft bombed a Hamas training facility.
There were no injuries recorded.
Israeli forces killed seven gunmen and two civilians during a raid in the volatile town of Jenin on Thursday, causing tensions to escalate.
Hamas and Islamic Jihad, a smaller militant group, pledged a reaction. Although neither group immediately claimed credit for the missiles fired toward Israel.
Following the bloodshed in Jenin, the Palestinian Authority announced that it will discontinue its security coordination with Israel.
The agreement is widely acknowledged for assisting in maintaining order in the West Bank and deterring attacks against Israel.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that Israel has no intention of escalating the situation. Although he did urge the security forces to remain vigilant.
Since a spate of deadly Palestinian street attacks in Israel in March and April of last year, violence has escalated.
