Israeli man killed by Gaza rocket as violence continues into Sunday

Over the past two days militants in Gaza have fired around 430 rockets into Israel, reaching as far as the Negev city of Beersheba. While many have been intercepted by Israel’s Iron Dome anti-missile defence system, others have exploded on Israeli homes.

Israeli schools in the south of the country have been closed today.

Israeli fighters have struck hundreds of targets in Gaza, attacking rocket launchers, tunnel shafts and weapons manufacturing facilities.

Newly re-elected Israeli Benjamin Netanyahu said, "I have directed the Israel Defence Force to continue their massive assault against the terror organisations in the Gaza Strip and I instructed them to boost the forces surrounding the Strip with armored corps, artillery and ground forces.”

Israeli President Reuven Rivlin, sending condolences to the Agadi family, said, "We will continue to stand against this dreadful terror and will respond forcefully and unwaveringly to any attack on the security of our people."

There have been periodic outbreaks of violence over the past year with the last truce between Israel and Hamas brokered by Egypt at the end of March.

Israel has blamed the latest flare-up on Hamas after two Israeli soldiers were wounded by a Palestinian gunman on Friday during regular protests at the Israel-Gaza border. Israeli retaliated with an airstrike that killed two militants.

In a statement, the Board of Deputies of British Jews said, "Our hearts go out to the family of Moshe Agadi and also to a Gazan mother and baby senselessly killed by the terrorists' onslaught."