Israeli warplanes strike Gaza, claiming in response to rocket attack

Gaza, March 7 (Xinhua) -- Israeli warplanes early on Thursday carried out intensive air strikes on southern Gaza Strip, with no injuries reported, said a Gaza-based radio.

Israeli warplanes fired six missiles at training military facilities that belong to Islamic Hamas movement and Islamic Jihad in southern Gaza Strip city of Khan Younis, said Al-Quds Radio, which quoted security officials and eyewitnesses.

Severe destruction was caused to the facilities, and damage was spread to nearby houses, said the radio.

Israel's move followed its army's announcement that a rocket was fired from the Gaza Strip and landed on an empty area in southern Israel, causing no damage or injuries.

No one claimed responsibility for firing the rocket from Gaza.

It is the fourth day in a row that Israeli warplanes and drones have been targeting Gaza military posts, facilities and training camps.

On Tuesday, a senior Egyptian security intelligence delegation held talks with leaders of Hamas and other factions to boost understanding and achieve reconciliation.

Egypt, the United Nations and Qatar have been mediating talks over the past a few months between the Palestinian factions and Israel to reinforce the calm understanding reached by the two sides to calm down their tension caused by the Marches of Return that started almost one year ago against Israel and has killed 260 Palestinians and injured more than 26,000 others.

The Marches of Return are demanding Israel end around 12 years of blockade that had been imposed on the Gaza Strip right after Hamas violently seized control of the coastal enclave and routed Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas' security forces.