Israeli military attacks Gaza in response to rocket attack

The Israeli military on Monday confirmed that it has begun striking Hamas targets throughout Gaza.

Al Jazeera quoted Gaza's Ministry of Information stating that the raids have targeted the northern part of the Gaza Strip. The residents of the region have reported hearing the sounds of explosions on Monday evening.

Israel struck Gaza in response to the rocket which was allegedly fired from the Gaza Strip and struck a home in central Israel on Monday. Seven people were wounded in the attack. Israel has blamed Hamas for the attack.

The spokesperson for Gaza's Health Ministry, Ashraf al-Qudrah informed that the hospitals and medical points across the strip are ready and on high alert.

The Health Ministry has also called on residents to take precautions as Israel readies to launch strikes across Gaza.

Al Jazeera's Harry Fawcett, reporting from Gaza-Israel border, also stated that Israeli officials issued similar warnings to residents on the Israeli side.

"We've seen several plumes of smoke coming up from the Gaza skyline behind us and we've seen confirmation from the Israeli military that these strikes have begun," he said.

"Everywhere within a 40-kilometre radius of the Israel-Gaza border on [Israel's] side has been told to open up bomb shelters in the expectation of potential rocket fire coming back in response from inside Gaza," he said.

Meanwhile, Israeli President Benjamin Netanyahu, who is in the United States for a meeting with President Donald Trump, is expected to make an announcement shortly from the White House.

Trump also expressed his support for Israel's strikes in Gaza, saying that they are necessary to preserve the country's security, reported The Times of Israel.

During the meeting, the US President also recognised Israeli sovereignty in the Golan Heights signing an official decree.