Operation Al-Aqsa: Gaza Rocket Strikes over Israel, Claiming a Life.

A wave of rocket barrages launched from the troubled Gaza Strip on Saturday, claimed at least one life in Israel, according to an AFP journalist and corroborated by medical sources. The initial rounds were fired from multiple locations in Gaza at 06:30 (3:30 GMT), painting the sky with streaks of imminent danger.

Israel's defence forces sounded sirens across the southern and central regions, alerting civilians to take immediate refuge near bomb shelters. Rocket interceptions were observed unfolding in Jerusalem by an AFP journalist on the ground, marked by piercing sirens resonating across the city.

Responsible for the rocket attacks, the armed faction of the Palestinian group, Hamas, substantiated claims that their militants loosed a barrage of more than 5,000 rockets. "We intend to cease the crimes of the occupation (Israel). The era of their unrestrained rampage is over," proclaimed the group, while announcing what they termed 'Operation Al-Aqsa Flood', during which they claimed to have launched over 5,000 rockets within the initial 20 minutes.

Israel's military held Hamas accountable for the offensive, labeling the attacks as "a combined assault comprising rocket fire and terror infiltrations" percolating from the Gaza Strip into Israeli regions. Local emergency service, Magen David Adom, reported a fatality - a woman reportedly in her 60s - "due to a direct hit," while fifteen others were injured, with two victims in a critical condition.

Israeli PM, Benjamin Netanyahu has called for an urgent meeting with security leaders to respond to this escalating violence. This rocket attack can be seen as Hamas' countermeasures against the stifling blockade on Gaza, imposed by Israel since 2007, when Hamas assumed power. Both parties, since that point, have clashed in several damaging wars.