Israeli jets have pounded Gaza Strip killing at least five Palestinians a day after a deadly covert Israeli operation in the besieged enclave drew rocket fire from Hamas-controlled territory
At least seven Palestians, including a Hamas military commander, were killed in the Sunday night raid near the Khan Younis city raising fears of another war
An Israeli soldier was killed during the botched operation in the enclave, which has been under an Israeli land, air and sea blockade since 2007
Israeli artillery units also shelled positions across the densely populated enclave, including the Hamas-run al-Aqsa TV station headquarters
Since 2008, Israel has launched three major assaults on Gaza that have heavily damaged the Strip's infrastructure and sources of livelihood
More than 200 Palestinians have been killed and thousands more wounded by Israeli troops deployed along the other side of the fence since the Great March of Return demonstrations began on March 30