Israel attacked about 100 Hamas targets in response to launched rockets

Josef and Federman and Fares Akram | AP

Israeli warplanes on Friday attacked about 100 Hamas targets in the Gaza Strip in response to a series of rockets fired at the Israeli capital of Tel Aviv. The rocket fire persisted until morning, so that other reprisals from Israel were possible.

The military said its targets include an office complex in Gaza City used to plan and direct extremist activities of Hamas, an underground complex serving as the main rocket manufacturing center and a center used for rocket development. . Hamas remote control aircraft.

In Gaza City, health officials reported that four people were injured, including a man and his wife, in the southern city of Rafah. There was no more details. The office building attacked by Israel was used by the Hamas office for prisoners' affairs.

The sudden outbreak of violence came at a delicate time for both parties and it seemed that the leaders of Israel and Hamas were incited to end the fighting.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is engaged in a tough battle for re-election. A firm response would provoke international criticism and national accusations that he was acting for political reasons before the April 9 vote. However, a limited response could draw criticism from hard rivals.

Meanwhile, Hamas faces its own internal problems. Israel and Egypt have maintained a crippling blockade on Gaza since Hamas took control of the territory in 2007. This blockade as well as the sanctions of the rival Palestinian Authority and the mismanagement of Hamas fueled a economic crisis that led to the unemployment rate at over 50%.

Shortly before the rocket attack, Hamas police violently dispersed protesters on Thursday angry at the terrible conditions in Gaza.