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Rockets from Gaza hit Israel on Friday night, the army said a few hours after five Palestinians were killed in clashes on the Israeli border, which could jeopardize truce efforts.
The biggest projectile attacks in months that have continued until Saturday and the border deaths have occurred despite the progress made in the conclusion of an agreement negotiated by Egypt to bring end to the months of often violent demonstrations along the border.
"At least 14 rockets have been fired from Gaza on Israeli civilians," army spokesman Colonel Jonathan Conricus told reporters on Twitter.
"Iron Dome has so far intercepted 10 people, saving many lives," he said.
Israeli doctors said seven civilians were being treated for shock.
In response to rocket fire, Israeli warplanes and helicopters "are a terrorist target in the Gaza Strip," the army said in a statement released Saturday morning.
And the chief of the army staff, General Gadi Eisenkot, organized a "situation assessment" at the army headquarters in Tel Aviv, alongside senior officials of the Shin Bet Domestic Security Agency.
The Israeli strikes hit three sites belonging to Hamas, the militant Islamist leaders in Gaza, without immediate injuries being reported.
Islamic Jihad, the second largest militant group in Gaza, hailed the rocket fire in a statement in response to "Israeli aggression", but avoided direct responsibility for launches.
A Hamas official said that following the escalation, Egypt was again seeking to negotiate a return to calm.
– "Means of dispersal of riots & # 39; –
Earlier, five Palestinians between the ages of 22 and 27 died in separate incidents along the border fence, Gaza's health ministry said.
The army did not comment on the deaths, but said that about 16,000 "rioters and protesters" had been gathered along the border, some burning tires and rolling tires. stones, incendiary bombs and grenades to the soldiers.
The troops responded with "means of dispersal of the riots," added a spokesman.
Three of the men were shot dead east of Khan Younis in southern Gaza, and another east of Jabalia in the northern coastal area, the health ministry said.
A fifth man died east of Bureij, in central Gaza, when a hand grenade that he held exploded by accident, witnesses said.
Palestinians have rallied to protest along the Gaza Strip border at least once a week since 30 March.
At least 212 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli gunfire in Gaza since the protests began, according to figures collected by AFP.
The majority of them died during protests, while a lower number was killed by air strikes and tank fire.
An Israeli soldier was shot dead by a Palestinian sniper along the border during the same period.
Protesters are calling to be allowed to return to lands that their families have fled or been expelled during a 1948 war surrounding the creation of Israel and which is now in the Jewish state.
They also protest Israel's crippling blockade of Gaza.
Israel accuses Hamas of orchestrating often violent demonstrations.
Israel and Hamas have waged three wars since 2008 and a large part of the international community views the Islamist movement as a terrorist organization.
– Truce business at risk –
The new violence could also wipe out the hopes of an agreement ending the months of protests.
Egypt and the United Nations negotiated indirect negotiations between Hamas and Israel to alleviate the situation as fear of another war arose.
Last week, a rocket fired from Gaza hit an Israeli house, barely avoiding killing a family. In response, the Israeli army launched airstrikes on some twenty Hamas targets in Gaza.
The London-based Arab newspaper Al-Hayat reported Friday that an agreement had been reached for the protests to end in exchange for a loosening of the blockade by Israel.
Hamas officials denied the conclusion of an agreement, but confirmed to AFP that progress was being made.
"We hope to reach an agreement very soon," a senior Hamas official said on Friday under cover of anonymity.
Israel has also completely reopened its crossing points with the Gaza Strip this week after a week of relative calm.
It has allowed dozens of Qatar-paid fuel trucks to enter the Gaza Strip, after previously banning their entry in response to border violence.
Israel says a 10-year blockade is needed to isolate Hamas, while critics say it is a collective punishment inflicted on the two million residents of Gaza.
A woman carries the Palestinian flag during clashes on October 26, 2018 along the Gaza Strip fence with Israel
Palestinian protesters get in trucks carrying Palestinian flags while they bring tires that they will burn to protect themselves during clashes along the border with Israel in the east. from the city of Gaza.
Palestinian protester uses slingshot to launch stones during clashes following demonstration near Israeli border east of Gaza City
