Israel hits Hamas after ‘projectile’ fired

Israel struck a number of positions of Islamist movement Hamas in Gaza after a "projectile" fired from the Palestinian enclave on Monday hit a border area, the Israeli army said.

One Palestinian was injured and taken to hospital, according to medical sources in Hamas-run Gaza.

Two Hamas posts were targeted by Israeli tank fire, a Palestinian security source said, while air strikes later hit targets in northern Gaza, sending a column of black smoke into the air, a reporter said.

"(An) initial inquiry suggests a projectile launched from the Gaza Strip landed in an open area," an Israeli army statement said, causing no injuries or major damage.

"The (army) will not tolerate rocket fire towards civilians and will continue to ensure security and stability in the region," army spokesman Peter Lerner said in another statement.

A Palestinian security source later said Israeli artillery targeted two Hamas bases east of Deir al-Balah in central Gaza after a border patrol came under fire.

The last rocket fire from Gaza into Israel occurred in October.

Since the devastating conflict of 2014, Israel and Hamas have observed a fragile ceasefire along the largely closed border.

Missiles and rockets are occasionally fired at Israel but are often attributed to other Islamist groups inside impoverished Gaza.

The Israeli army usually retaliates by striking the positions of Hamas, which it holds responsible for the territory.