Israeli air strikes hit Gaza Strip

Jerusalem: Israel carried out air strikes on the Gaza Strip overnight, sources from both sides said, in what Israel said was a response to recent rocket fire against the Jewish state.

Israeli planes targeted an arms factory in the centre of the Palestinian territory as well as three tunnels used for smuggling contraband, two in the north and one in the south, the army said in a statement.

The targets were hit, the statement added.

"The targeting of these sites was in response to rockets fired against Israel in recent days," the military said.

A security source from the Islamist Hamas movement, which controls the territory, and witnesses said there were four strikes, in Beit Lahiya, Nuseirat and two in Khan Yunis.