Israel launched a series of airstrikes in Gaza today, targeting a Hamas security complex and tunnels used to smuggle weapons after vowing a ‘disproportionate’ response to cross-border fire.
The aircraft carried out half a dozen strikes after three Israelis were injured by a mortar salvo, including two soldiers and the first Israeli civilian hurt since a 18 January truce ended Israel's 22-day offensive in Gaza.
There were no reported casualties in the air attacks. Five of the strikes targeted tunnels along Gaza's border with Egypt.
A further Israeli attack was on a security headquarters in a village in central Gaza that residents said had been vacated after Israel telephoned warnings to Palestinians to leave buildings that housed any weapons.
About a dozen rockets and mortars fired from Gaza struck Israel today, most causing no casualties, the military said.
Israel's three-week onslaught against Gaza left more than 1,330 Palestinians dead.
Thirteen Israelis were also killed during the conflict, which Israel launched to stop militant rocket fire from the territory.
Hamas leader arrives in Iran
Earlier, the overall leader of Hamas, Khaled Meshaal, arrived in Iran on his first visit since Israel's offensive against his Islamist movement in Gaza.
Mr Meshaal, who lives in exile in Syria, is due to meet top Iranian officials, as well as address students of Tehran University and attend a session of parliament, it said.
Mr Meshaal is a frequent visitor to Iran, which is a staunch supporter of Hamas and does not recognise Israel.
Last month, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who has drawn global outrage for his anti-Israel views, congratulated Hamas on its ‘victory’ in its war with Israel.
