Streaks of smoke are seen as Israel's Iron Dome defense system intercepts rockets fired from the Gaza Strip, in Sderot, southern Israel, on May 10, 2023. Tens of rockets were fired by Palestinian militants into Israel early Wednesday evening, in response, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) launched airstrikes against Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) targets in the Gaza Strip. (JINI via Xinhua)
JERUSALEM, May 10 (Xinhua) -- Tens of rockets were fired by Palestinian militants into Israel early Wednesday evening, in response, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) launched airstrikes against Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) targets in the Gaza Strip.
The exchange of fire came just hours before a reported ceasefire is expected to come into effect.
The IDF said rockets were fired at several cities in southern and central Israel, including the country's financial hub Tel Aviv.
About 300 rockets were fired into Israel on Wednesday, according to the IDF, adding that at least 60 rockets were intercepted by air defense systems and tens of others failed to reach targets within Israel. The IDF also announced it struck at over 100 targets in the Gaza Strip.
Israeli emergency services said no injuries were reported during the afternoon barrage, with several people treated for anxiety.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held security consultations throughout Wednesday. Reports in several local media outlets suggested a ceasefire between Israel and the Gaza militants has been reached through Egyptian mediation. According to those reports, it will come into effect late Wednesday.
However, Netanyahu said his country's offensive against the Gaza Strip "is not over yet," despite media reports on an impending ceasefire between Israel and the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip.
He gave a televised address from the Israeli Defense Ministry headquarters in Tel Aviv on Wednesday evening, praising Israeli air defense systems managed to intercept many of the hundreds of rockets fired by Palestinian militants into Israel on Wednesday.
Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant also gave an address, saying he hopes the operation will bring to an end soon.
The exchange of fire came after an Israeli airstrike on Tuesday in the Gaza Strip killed three senior PIJ leaders.
The Gaza-based joint chamber of military operations of Palestinian factions claimed responsibility for launching hundreds of missiles to Israel on Wednesday. The Palestinian Health Ministry in Gaza reported 21 people were killed since Tuesday and 64 Palestinians injured. ■
Israel's Iron Dome defense system launches a missile to intercept rockets fired from the Gaza Strip, in Sderot, southern Israel, on May 10, 2023. Tens of rockets were fired by Palestinian militants into Israel early Wednesday evening, in response, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) launched airstrikes against Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) targets in the Gaza Strip. (JINI via Xinhua)
Israel's Iron Dome defense system launches a missile to intercept rockets fired from the Gaza Strip, in Sderot, southern Israel, on May 10, 2023. Tens of rockets were fired by Palestinian militants into Israel early Wednesday evening, in response, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) launched airstrikes against Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) targets in the Gaza Strip. (JINI via Xinhua)
People wait in a public bomb shelter as sirens sound following rockets fired from the Gaza Strip, in Ashkelon, southern Israel, on May 10, 2023. Tens of rockets were fired by Palestinian militants into Israel early Wednesday evening, in response, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) launched airstrikes against Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) targets in the Gaza Strip. (Ilan Assayag/JINI via Xinhua)
A public bomb shelter is placed in Ashkelon, southern Israel, on May 10, 2023. Tens of rockets were fired by Palestinian militants into Israel early Wednesday evening, in response, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) launched airstrikes against Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) targets in the Gaza Strip. (Ilan Assayag/JINI via Xinhua)
People wait in a public bomb shelter as sirens sound following rockets fired from the Gaza Strip, in Ashkelon, southern Israel, on May 10, 2023. Tens of rockets were fired by Palestinian militants into Israel early Wednesday evening, in response, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) launched airstrikes against Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) targets in the Gaza Strip. (Ilan Assayag/JINI via Xinhua)
Israel's Iron Dome defense system launches a missile to intercept rockets fired from the Gaza Strip, in Ashkelon, southern Israel, on May 10, 2023. Tens of rockets were fired by Palestinian militants into Israel early Wednesday evening, in response, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) launched airstrikes against Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) targets in the Gaza Strip. (Ilan Assayag/JINI via Xinhua)
Israeli police and explosive experts check an area hit by a rocket fired from the Gaza strip, in a neighborhood of Sderot, southern Israel, on May 10, 2023. Tens of rockets were fired by Palestinian militants into Israel early Wednesday evening, in response, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) launched airstrikes against Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) targets in the Gaza Strip. (JINI via Xinhua)
Israeli security personnel work next to a vehicle damaged by a rocket fired from the Gaza Strip, in Ashkelon, southern Israel, on May 10, 2023. Tens of rockets were fired by Palestinian militants into Israel early Wednesday evening, in response, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) launched airstrikes against Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) targets in the Gaza Strip. (Ilan Assayag/JINI via Xinhua)
Israeli security personnel carry part of a rocket fired from the Gaza Strip, in Ashkelon, southern Israel, on May 10, 2023. Tens of rockets were fired by Palestinian militants into Israel early Wednesday evening, in response, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) launched airstrikes against Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) targets in the Gaza Strip. (Ilan Assayag/JINI via Xinhua)
Israeli security personnel work next to a vehicle damaged by a rocket fired from the Gaza Strip, in Ashkelon, southern Israel, on May 10, 2023. Tens of rockets were fired by Palestinian militants into Israel early Wednesday evening, in response, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) launched airstrikes against Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) targets in the Gaza Strip. (Ilan Assayag/JINI via Xinhua)
