Surge in Gaza conflict

GAZA 5 May (ANA) - Israel and militants in the Gaza Strip have stepped up their attacks on each other, in some of the most intense exchanges of recent years.

Palestinian militants have fired more than 450 rockets into Israeli territory over the weekend. Many were intercepted but three Israeli men have been killed.

Israel has hit about 220 targets in the Gaza Strip and threatened further "massive" strikes.

Gaza officials say eight Palestinians have been killed since Friday.

On Sunday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he had ordered the military to "continue its massive strikes on terror elements in the Gaza Strip".

Israeli forces around Gaza would be "stepped up with tank, artillery and infantry forces", he added.

The flare-up comes despite a truce agreed last month. Egypt and the United Nations have recently been trying to broker a longer-term ceasefire.(ANA)
FA/ANA/5 May 2019-----