epaselect epa04307397 Smoke rises after an airstrike by Israeli forces in the south of Gaza City, 09 July 2014. Israel launched the military operation Protective Edge, which came in response to a renewed wave of rockets out of the Gaza Strip, for some of which Palestinian group Hamas has claimed responsibility. It is the first time since 2012 that Hamas has done so, claiming that intervening attacks were sent up by groups working outside its control. EPA/MOHAMMED SABER