Israel Strikes Hamas Targets in Gaza After Rocket Attack Near Tel Aviv

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu cuts short his visit to Washington.

Israel’s military said it struck dozens of Hamas targets in the Gaza Strip and the Islamist group launched numerous rockets into its territory, raising the risk of a wide-scale conflict two weeks before an Israeli election.

The latest exchange of fire comes after the Israeli military blamed Gaza-ruler Hamas for an attack earlier Monday that hit a home in the small town of Mishmeret north of Israel’s commercial capital of Tel Aviv, injuring seven people.

In retaliatory strikes, the Israeli military said its aircraft hit three main targets in Gaza City: the office of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, a separate three-story building that serves as Hamas’s secret headquarters, including its military intelligence, general intelligence and general security and a five-story building used by the Gaza Interior Ministry. The Gaza Health Ministry said five people had been injured by the Israeli strikes.

The Israeli military said 30 rockets were launched from Gaza into Israeli territory since it began its strikes, but it didn’t report any additional injuries or damages.

Hamas spokesman Fawzi Barhoum later on Monday said Egypt had managed to broker a cease-fire between Israel and Hamas, but there has been no comment from Israel on the matter. The exchange of fire continued between both sides.

Israel’s strikes came as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is stressing his security credentials, campaigns to win a record fifth term as the country’s premier.

The Israeli leader cut short a visit to the U.S. on Monday as he vowed a strong response to the attack from Gaza.

“We will do whatever we must do to defend our people and defend our state,” Mr. Netanyahu said in a meeting with President Trump at the White House.

More From The Wall Street Journal (subscription required):