Palestinian report: 2 dead, 30 hurt in Israel retaliatory airstrike on Gaza

Earlier Iron dome intercepted rocket fire to southern Israel. Alarm sirens blare in the south for fourth time in hours.

By ANNA AHRONHEIM
Updated: DECEMBER 9, 2017 17:49
A Palestinian man looks at a nearby militant target in his apartment that was damaged in an Israeli airstrike, in the northern Gaza Strip December 9, 2017. (photo credit: MOHAMMED SALEM/ REUTERS)
A Palestinian man looks at a nearby militant target in his apartment that was damaged in an Israeli airstrike, in the northern Gaza Strip December 9, 2017.
(photo credit: MOHAMMED SALEM/ REUTERS)
The Israel Air Force struck two Hamas targets in Gaza in response to earlier rocket fire, an IDF Spokesman said on Friday.
A commander in Hamas's armed wing, Mahar Atalla, reportedly died from wounds inflicted in clashes with the IDF earlier in the day. Hamas confirmed that two of its gunmen were killed in the bombings. 
A Hamas source confirmed the two men killed in the strikes belonged to the group, which urged Palestinians to keep up confrontation with Israeli forces.
One rocket struck the city of Sderot in Israel's south, a spokesperson for Sderot reported. The rocket caused damage to several vehicles, though no casualties were reported.

Reports have surfaced that the Nasser Salah Eddine brigades, a Palestinian militant organization operating out of the Gaza Strip, has claimed responsibility for the rocket fire.
An ambulence arrives at the scene after a rocket landed in Sderot, December 8, 2017. (Police Spokesperson's Unit)
An ambulence arrives at the scene after a rocket landed in Sderot, December 8, 2017. (Police Spokesperson's Unit)
IAF fighter jets, reportedly hit two targets, a Hamas training compound and an arms depot.
The Palestinian Health Ministry said at least 30 people were wounded in the strikes, including six children.

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As the report of the wounded emerged, another rocket alarm siren went off in southern Israel, the fourth this evening.
Earlier, Israel's Iron Dome Missile Defense System intercepted a rocket fired towards Israel from Gaza, the IDF spokesperson's office said in a statement.
No one was hurt.
Additionally, rocket sirens sounded in Sdot Negev Regional Council and in Bnei Shimon. The IDF reported that rockets were fired toward Israel from Gaza, but no landings have yet been discovered. Troops are currently searching the area.
Alarms were heard in several other communities in the area surrounding the Gaza Strip.
There were some reports of an explosion seen over the city of Sderot.
Reuters contributed to this report.