JERUSALEM, Aug. 8 (Xinhua) -- Israel said at least 70 rockets from Gaza hit its territory on Wednesday night, slightly injuring six people, as its air forces struck dozens of Hamas sites across Gaza.
"As of now, approximately 70 rockets launches were identified from the Gaza Strip at Israeli territory," a military spokesperson said in a statement released at midnight.
Israel's Iron Dome anti-rocket system intercepted 11 launches and the majority of the rockets fell in open fields in southern Israel, the spokesperson added.
"Code Red" sirens continued to wail through the night across Israel's south, as the Israeli air force carried out multiple airstrikes in Gaza, reportedly killing a Palestinian man.
Earlier on Wednesday evening, Gaza militants fired an eight-rocket barrage at the southern city of Sderot; one of them fell near a family home and caused damage to cars, wrecking panic in the city.
At least six people were slightly wounded by shrapnel and needed hospital care, the Barzilai Hospital in Ashkelon said in a statement.
Israel said it holds Hamas, the Palestinian group that runs the besieged enclave, responsible for any hostility from Gaza.
The rockets came after two snipers with the Hamas were killed by an Israeli artillery attack on Tuesday.
Hamas vowed that Israel will pay a price for the killing.
The recent escalation came amid Egyptian efforts to broker a cease-fire. On Friday, Hamas leadership held a rare meeting in Gaza to discuss the terms of a possible cease-fire, raising hopes for an agreement.
Clashes along the fence separating between Israel Gaza erupted on March 30 with rallies to protest the 11-year blockade imposed by Israel and Egypt.
About 158 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli fire, while one Israeli soldier was shot dead by a Gazan sniper.
