GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip – The latest on a fresh wave of fighting between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip (all times local):
11:45 p.m.
Hamas’ militant wing says undercover Israeli forces drove a civilian vehicle into the Gaza Strip and shot dead one of the group’s commanders.
Hamas was providing details on a sudden, late-night burst of violence between Israel and Gaza militants Sunday that came just as the sides were taking steps that appeared to be toning down months of fighting.
In a statement late Sunday, Hamas says militants chased the car down, which prompted Israeli airstrikes that led to the deaths of at least five militants.
The Israeli military said only that there had been an exchange of fire during operational activity. It said that its rocket defense system intercepted two launches from the Gaza Strip and that air raid sirens were sounding in southern Israel.
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11:30 p.m.
A spokesman for Israel’s Airport’s Authority says some flight landings and departures have been changed at the country’s international airport amid a new spasm of violence between Israel and Hamas in Gaza.
Ofer Lefler said Sunday that the runway changes were made after the fighting began. He says they would not affect the flight schedule.
It was not immediately clear what sparked Sunday’s fighting. Shortly after the exchange of fire, air raid sirens sounded in southern Israel, indicating rocket fire from Gaza. Gaza militants have rockets capable of reaching into the Israeli heartland, where Ben-Gurion International Airport is located.
Sunday’s exchange of fire came as Israel and Gaza’s Hamas rulers appeared to be making progress toward an unofficial cease-fire.
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11 p.m.
Palestinian health officials in the Gaza Strip say six militants have been killed and six have been wounded by Israeli fire in a sudden, late-night burst of fighting.
Sunday’s exchange of fire came as Israel and Gaza’s Hamas rulers appeared to be making progress toward an unofficial cease-fire.
Israel last week allowed Qatar to deliver $15 million to Hamas, while Hamas scaled back its weekly demonstration along the Israeli border.
It was not immediately clear what sparked Sunday’s fighting. Shortly after the exchange of fire, air raid sirens sounded in southern Israel, indicating rocket fire from Gaza.