Egypt has been trying to mediate a cease-fire, but Palestinians fired more than 100 rockets into southern Israel. Some of the rockets hit major cities and one Israeli civilian was seriously wounded.
Israel's Iron Dome missile defense system intercepted more than 25 rockets. The military responded with more than a dozen airstrikes and the targeted killings of Palestinian militants from various Gaza organizations.
Tit-for-tat exchanges between Israel and Palestinians have been routine since the 2009 war, but a flare-up of this intensity is rare. The Arab League called the Israeli attacks a "massacre."
The United Nations has condemned the violence and is calling on both sides to exercise restraint
