Israel accused of starting war as it kills 15 in Gaza
A senior militant from Islamic Jihad was among more than 15 people killed in Israeli air strikes on the Gaza Strip Friday, prompting the militant group to warn Israel has "started a war".
A child was among those killed in the strikes, the enclave's health ministry said, while Israel's military estimated 15 combatants were killed.
The Israeli army said the strikes were part of an operation "against targets in the Palestinian Islamic Jihad" group.
Islamic Jihad said Israel had "started a war against our people".
"We collectively must defend ourselves and our people. We will not allow the enemy's policy of undermining the resistance and our national perseverance," the group said in a statement.
Flames poured out of a building in Gaza City following an air strike, while wounded Palestinians were evacuated by medics.
Gaza's health ministry reported "a five-year-old girl, targeted by the Israeli occupation" was among those killed.
Islamic Jihad said it was mourning "the great jihadist commander Tayseer al-Jabari 'Abu Mahmud', who was killed in a Zionist assassination in Gaza City".
An Israeli military spokesman said "we are assuming about 15 killed in action" in Gaza, referring to...