Israeli strikes across Gaza enter second day as militants retaliate with rockets

Palestinian militant groups launched a volley of rockets into Israel on Wednesday, after Israel carried out airstrikes targeting the leaders of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad group in Gaza on Tuesday. Three senior commanders of the organisation were killed in the Israeli strikes, as well as at least 10 civilians. The strikes provoked retaliatory attacks across southern Israel, triggering Israel’s air defence system and causing sirens to blare in cities as far away as Tel Aviv. At least three people were killed in Wednesday’s fresh round of violence, bringing the total over two days to 21 casualties, and many more were wounded. Tensions have been running high since Khader Adnan, a prominent political figure affiliated with Islamic Jihad, died on hunger strike in Israeli custody Israel and Palestinian militant groups in Gaza Strip ‘negotiate ceasefire’ Israel bombs Gaza Strip, killing three Islamic Jihad leaders and nine civilians