Israel strikes Gaza amid soaring tensions with militants
GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip (AP) — Israel says it is striking Gaza and declaring a “special situation” on the home front after days of tensions following the arrest of a senior Palestinian militant in the occupied West Bank.
A blast could be heard in Gaza City on Friday, where smoke poured out of the seventh floor of a tall building.
Israel had closed roads around Gaza earlier this week and sent reinforcements to the border as it braced for a revenge attack after the arrest of a senior member of the Islamic Jihad militant group in the occupied West Bank on Monday.
THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. AP’s earlier story follows below.