Dozens of rockets was launched from Gaza Strip towards Israel early on Saturday, as air raid sirens sounded across the country, according to several eyewitnesses.
Sirens warning of incoming rockets were heard for several minutes in southern areas surrounding Gaza and in the greater Tel Aviv area.
There were no immediate details on the origin of the attack from the military.
Explosions could be heard in cities around Tel Aviv and outside Jerusalem.
The rocket fire was launched from multiple locations in Gaza starting 06.30am (0330 GMT), according to AFP.
The Israeli Army urged the public to stay close to bomb shelters.
One person died and at least three were injured when a barrage of rockets was fired from Gaza toward Israel Saturday morning, Israel’s Magen David Adom (MDA) rescue service said.
A woman in her 70s in Kfar Aviv in the Gderot region died following the barrage, the MDA said.
Two other people in the Ashkelon area were lightly injured, the rescue service said, while a fourth person – a man in his 20s in Yavne – was moderately injured by shrapnel.
The IDF has warned Israelis who live near Gaza to stay in their homes.
Hamas claimed responsibility for the rocket attack.
Hamas military commander Muhammad Al-Deif released a recorded message, announcing operation “Al-Aqsa Storm” and saying the Palestinian militant group “targeted the enemy positions, airports and military positions with 5,000 rockets.”
Palestinians take Israelis in the Kibbutz of Sderot as hostages.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant are conducting security assessments at Israel Defense Forces headquarters in Tel Aviv, Netanyahu’s office said.
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