Israel has carried out a series of air strikes overnight on the Gaza Strip.<br /><br />Hamas claims six of its members were killed in a single attack near Rafah. Three others died in separate strikes.<br /><br />Israel said the attacks were ordered after rockets and mortars, launched from Gaza, landed in the south of the country.<br /><br />Tensions in the region are at breaking point after the murder of Palestinian teenager Mohammed Abu Khdair.<br /><br />His death followed the kidnap and killing of three young Israelis in the West Bank. <br /><br />Israel blames Hamas for the slayings and has arrested hundreds of Palestinians following the abduction of the young men.<br /><br />The three were found buried in a shallow grave last week. <br /><br />Freddy Eytan, an Israeli political analyst, believes Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will remain calm, despite the violence: “Netanyahu is not a warmonger, he has not ordered extensive operations like [former Prime Minister Ehud] Olmert did in Lebanon and Gaza. He is not hesitating, he is careful, prudent. I think he will manage the situation until Gaza goes quiet again.” <br /><br />On Sunday Israel made six arrests in connection with the murder of Mohammed Abu Khdair.<br /><br />The teenager was abducted last Wednesday and reportedly burnt to death. <br /><br />Prime Minister Netanyahu said: “We will not allow extremists, it doesn’t matter what side, to inflame the region and cause bloodshed.” <br /><br />The six in detention are described as young males, including minors, from Jerusalem.
