73 Gaza Rockets Strike Israel Thursday: Army

A total of 73 rockets struck Israel from the Gaza Strip on Thursday, Israeli army said.



"So far today, 73 rockets fired from Gaza have hit Israel," the army said on its Twitter account.



The army added that additional 17 rockets were also intercepted by the Iron Dome defense system.



Violence has engulfed the Palestinian territories since Israel launched a devastating military offensive against the blockaded Gaza Strip with the stated aim of halting rocket attacks.



As many as 1437 Palestinians – mostly civilians – have been killed and more than 8300 injured in unrelenting Israeli attacks since July 7, according to Palestinian health officials.



Israel, for its part, has confirmed the killing of 56 troops in battles with Palestinian fighters and three civilians in rocket attacks.



Israel's military operation, dubbed operation "Protective Edge," is the self-proclaimed Jewish state's third major offensive against the densely-populate Gaza Strip – which is home to some 1.8 million Palestinians – within the last six years.



By Abdel-Raouf Arnaout



englishnews@aa.com.tr



www.aa.com.tr/en - İsrail