Israeli Warplanes Strike Gaza

Israeli warplanes have launched missiles at several open fields in the Gaza Strip, sparking a series of loud explosions.

Military officials say the strikes late Friday night were designed to destroy a series of tunnels into Israel.

They say Palestinian militants intended to use the tunnels to carry out terrorist attacks.

Palestinian medical officials said four people, including a child, suffered minor injuries.

Hours before the Israeli strikes, Palestinian militants in Gaza fired a mortar shell at Israel. 

On Thursday, a rocket fired from Gaza hit the southern Israeli town of Netivot.  Israeli police said no one was hurt. 

Earlier Thursday, hundreds of pro-Palestinian activists rallied on both sides of the Israel-Gaza border Thursday, demanding that Israel end its blockade of the territory.

Israel launched a military offensive into Gaza just over a year ago to stop cross-border rocket attacks by Hamas militants.  The fighting killed at least 1,300 Palestinians and 13 Israelis.