Israeli army launches offensive operation on Gaza Strip to quell rocket attacks

The Associated Press
July 8, 2014 at 1:14AM
Tariq Abu Khdeir, 15, a U.S. citizen who relatives say was beaten and arrested by Israeli police during clashes sparked by the killing Thursday of his cousin Mohammed Abu Khdeir, is escorted by Israeli prison guards during an appearance at Jerusalem magistrate's court Sunday, July 6, 2014.
Tariq Abu Khdeir, 15, a U.S. citizen who relatives say was beaten and arrested by Israeli police during clashes sparked by the killing Thursday of his cousin Mohammed Abu Khdeir, is escorted by Israeli prison guards during an appearance at Jerusalem magistrate's court Sunday, July 6, 2014. (Associated Press - Ap/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

JERUSALEM — The Israeli army says it has launched an offensive operation against the Gaza Strip to quell rocket attacks, and a Palestinian official says Israeli airstrikes have wounded at least nine Palestinians.

A Twitter statement from the Israeli army early Tuesday says Operation Protective Edge is intended to "stop the terror Israel's citizens face on a daily basis."

The army says it was carrying out airstrikes early Tuesday in the Gaza Strip early Tuesday. It did not elaborate.

Gaza health official Ashraf Al-Kedra says at least nine Palestinians were brought to a Gaza hospital with light to moderate injuries.

The airstrikes come after Gaza militants fired dozens of rockets at southern Israel late Monday, as the Israeli military rushed more forces to the border.

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DANIEL ESTRIN