Gaza mortar attack kills Israeli

A mortar round fired from the Gaza Strip killed one Israeli civilian and was followed by Israeli air strikes which killed five Hamas members.

The Israeli was hit in the kibbutz of Kfar Aza, near the border with Gaza, and three other people were wounded.

The five Hamas members were killed and four injured when Israeli aircraft launched attacks on police stations.

Israel's army said the air strikes were retaliation for the mortar attack, which was claimed by Hamas.

Palestinian militants frequently fire rockets and mortars at Israel from the Gaza Strip.

Israeli officials said the victim in the Kfar Aza attack was a middle-aged man.

"We hold it [Hamas]accountable for today's attack and the murder of our civilians"
David Baker
Israeli government spokesman

He died following unsuccessful attempts to resuscitate him, reports say.

David Baker, a spokesman for the Israeli government, said Hamas was responsible for all hostile fire into Israel.

"We hold it accountable for today's attack and the murder of our civilians," he said.

Air strikes were launched at Hamas police stations in Rafah and Khan Younis.

The Gaza Strip has been controlled by Hamas since last June when they ousted their rivals from the Fatah movement.