Israeli Navy strikes central, coastal areas of Gaza Strip

GAZA, Palestine

The Israeli Navy struck central areas of the Gaza Strip along the Mediterranean coast and residential areas of the city of Khan Yunis on Monday.

Dozens of rockets were fired from Israeli attack boats towards the coastal areas of the city, the Palestinian state-run WAFA news agency reported.

There is no information available yet on casualties, injuries or material damage.

The Palestinian Hamas group launched Operation Al-Aqsa Flood against Israel early Saturday, firing a barrage of rockets and infiltrating Israel by land, air and sea. It said the surprise attack was in response to the storming of Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied East Jerusalem and increased settler violence against Palestinians.

In retaliation, the Israeli military launched Operation Swords of Iron against Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

The number of Palestinians killed by Israeli forces in Gaza has risen to 704, including 143 children and 105 women, the Gaza-based Health Ministry said early Tuesday. It said the number of wounded has risen to around 4,000.

At least 900 Israelis have been killed and over 2,600 others wounded in the fighting, according to the Israeli Health Ministry.

*Writing by Alperen Aktas from Istanbul